Sidelink Beam Failure Detection Using Reference Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the 4G LTE system, lack a beam failure detection mechanism in sidelink communication, which hinders the ability to detect beam failures and reduce service delays.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus that implement a beam failure detection mechanism in sidelink communication by having a first terminal apparatus send reference signals to a second terminal apparatus in specific directions, determine beam failures, and then send additional reference signals to measure beam quality in other supported directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a beam failure detection mechanism is introduced in sidelink communication, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first terminal apparatus send first reference signals in K1 directions before actual data transmission to pre-detect beam failures. This allows the system to identify problematic beams in advance and switch to alternative beams before communication degradation occurs, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity during data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam detection process into two distinct phases: first reference signals sent in K1 directions for failure detection, and second reference signals sent in P1 directions for quality measurement. This segmentation allows the system to separately handle beam failure detection and beam quality assessment, making the overall mechanism more manageable and less complex while improving communication reliability
2Measurement precision
If multiple reference signals are sent in multiple directions for beam detection, then beam failure detection accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reference signal transmission adaptive: the first terminal apparatus dynamically sends first reference signals only in K1 directions when beam failure detection is needed, and only sends second reference signals in P1 directions when beam failure is detected. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high detection accuracy while minimizing time loss by avoiding unnecessary reference signal transmissions in all directions at all times
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by sending reference signals in a subset of directions (K1 directions for first reference signals, P1 directions for second reference signals) rather than all possible directions. This partial approach maintains sufficient beam failure detection accuracy while significantly reducing the time and resources required compared to exhaustive full-direction scanning
Data Source
AI summary
A first terminal apparatus sends K2 first reference signals to a second terminal apparatus in K1 directions. The first terminal apparatus determines that beams in the K1 directions all fail for N1 consecutive times. The first terminal apparatus sends P2 second reference signals to the second terminal apparatus in P1 directions. The first terminal apparatus determines, based on measurement results that are of the P2 second reference signals and that are from the second terminal apparatus, whether P1 beams corresponding to the P1 directions are available.