Sensor-Assisted Fallback DCI for Wireless Link Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in 5G and beyond, directional communications face challenges due to high propagation loss and sensitivity to blockage, leading to issues with Channel State Information (CSI) reporting failures and subsequent loss of communication between network nodes and wireless devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and network node configuration that utilizes sensor-assisted communication modes by transmitting a request for a report to a wireless device, determining if the report is received within a predetermined time, and if not, entering an alternate communication mode where visual information from a sensor is used to determine a fallback format for transmission, allowing continued communication without suspending uplink/downlink scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UL/DL scheduling is suspended during safe mode to handle CSI reporting failures, then communication reliability is improved, but WD throughput is reduced and WD dropping risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network node activates fallback DCI formats (0_0 and 1_0) before complete loss of communication occurs. These fallback formats are prepared in advance and can be immediately deployed when CSI reporting failures are detected, allowing continuous scheduling without suspension and maintaining WD throughput while ensuring communication reliability through redundant formatting options.
2Productivity
If UL/DL scheduling is continued without aperiodic CSI reports during safe mode, then WD throughput is maintained, but radio link failure and RLC delivery failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Fallback DCI formats 0_0 and 1_0 serve as intermediary communication mechanisms during safe mode. These formats do not require aperiodic CSI reports and can maintain basic UL/DL scheduling functionality, acting as a bridge that keeps throughput flowing while the system recovers from beam loss or reconfiguration issues, thereby preventing radio link failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the DCI format parameters from the standard 0_1 format to fallback formats 0_0 and 1_0 when entering safe mode. This parameter change allows communication to continue with simplified formatting that does not depend on aperiodic CSI reports, maintaining throughput while avoiding the reliability issues associated with missing CSI feedback.
3Reliability
If DCI 0_1 format is used for aperiodic CSI report requests, then beam management and link adaptation are enabled, but format size mismatch prevents usage during RRC reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The network node dynamically switches between DCI formats based on the operational state. During normal operation, DCI 0_1 is used for full beam management and link adaptation. During RRC reconfiguration when format size mismatch occurs, the system dynamically transitions to fallback formats 0_0 and 1_0, and can switch back when reconfiguration completes, providing adaptability while maintaining beam management capabilities when possible.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for a network node. The network node supports communication at least with a wireless device (WD) and a sensor that is configured to provide visual information. A first signal is transmitted to the WD, which includes a request for the WD to transmit a report. The method includes determining whether the network node has received the report from the WD within a predetermined period of time and, if the network node has not received the report from the WD within the predetermined period of time, entering an alternate mode of communication with the WD. The alternate mode of communication includes obtaining the visual information from the optical sensor, determining a fallback format for transmission based at least in part on the obtained visual information, and transmitting a second signal to the WD using the fallback format.