Serving Access Node Timing Assistance for Beamformed Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, user equipment struggles to receive signals from target access nodes efficiently due to the need to constantly listen for signals in all directions, which reduces throughput and increases power consumption, especially when beamforming is used for broadcast transmissions without knowing the exact direction.
Innovation Solution
The serving access node provides user equipment with information about the scheduled time instances when the target access node transmits signals in a specific beam direction, allowing the user equipment to only listen during those times, thereby optimizing signal reception from both the serving and target access nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment constantly listens for signals from target access node in all directions, then signal reception reliability is improved, but throughput and power efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The serving access node performs preliminary actions by determining and providing timing information to the user equipment about when the target access node will transmit signals in specific beam directions. This allows the user equipment to know in advance when to listen, eliminating the need for continuous listening and thereby improving throughput while maintaining reliable signal reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the serving access node providing timing information to the user equipment based on knowledge of the target access node's beam sweeping schedule. This feedback mechanism enables the user equipment to synchronize its listening with the actual transmission times, resolving the contradiction between reliable reception and efficient throughput.
2Reliability
If user equipment constantly listens for signals from target access node, then signal reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The serving access node determines and provides timing information in advance to the user equipment about when the target access node will transmit signals. This preliminary action enables the user equipment to activate its receiver only during these specific time instances rather than continuously, significantly reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable signal reception when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous listening, the user equipment performs periodic listening only at the specific time instances when the target access node transmits signals in the beam direction toward the user equipment. This periodic action pattern, guided by the timing information from the serving access node, reduces power consumption while maintaining reception reliability.
3Reliability
If user equipment listens for beamformed transmissions from target access node, then signal reception capability is improved, but time for receiving data from serving access node is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The serving access node determines and communicates timing information to the user equipment about when the target access node will transmit beamformed signals. This preliminary information allows the user equipment to schedule its listening activities in advance, minimizing the time spent listening to the target access node and maximizing the time available for receiving data from the serving access node.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving access node acts as an intermediary that bridges the user equipment and the target access node. It determines the timing of beamformed transmissions and provides this information to the user equipment, enabling efficient coordination without requiring the user equipment to continuously monitor both access nodes, thereby reducing time loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the throughput of the wireless communication network by reducing unnecessary listening time, allowing user equipment to focus on data or signal reception from the serving access node while receiving beamformed transmissions from the target access node during designated time instances.
Implementation Method 1
Wireless communication networks operating in millimeter wave frequencies typically apply transmit beamforming to enable link budgets for multi-Gbits/s transmissions. Beamforming is a signal processing technique used for directional signal transmission or reception.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a wireless communication network for assisting a user equipment to receive signals from a target access node. The wireless communication network comprises the target access node, the user equipment and a serving access node serving the user equipment. The serving access node sends information about time instances to the user equipment. The time instances are scheduled for sending signals from the target access node in a beam direction towards the user equipments. The time instances may be determined in the target access node based on its own position and a position of the user equipment and/or a beam direction of the serving access node. The time instances may also be determined in the serving access node based on its own position and a schedule of the target access node on beam directions versus transmission times. The user equipment receives signals from the target access node during the time instances indicated in the received information. In this way, leaving more time for the user equipment to receive data or signal from the serving access node. As a result, the throughput of the wireless communication network is increased and improved.