Signal Transmission Beam Calibration Through Reference Signal Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signal transmission methods using beamforming technology face issues with frequent receive signal interruptions due to mismatched beam directions when users move, leading to increased processing complexity and reduced resource utilization efficiency from repeated beam scanning and training.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the exchange of reference signals and channel quality measurements between a network device and a terminal device, facilitated by physical layer control signaling, allows for fast beam calibration without separate scanning and training on transmit and receive beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If beam scanning and beam training are performed separately on transmit beam and receive beam, then optimal beams can be selected, but time consumption doubles and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam selection accuracyVSAvoidbeam training time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines transmit beam scanning and receive beam training into a single integrated process. The network device sends reference signals using multiple transmit beams while the terminal device performs receive beam training simultaneously, merging two separate procedures into one unified beam calibration process that achieves optimal beam selection without doubling the time consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary beam direction indication through physical layer control signaling before the actual beam calibration. The network device provides beam direction information in advance, allowing the terminal device to pre-configure its receive beam, thereby reducing the time required for complete beam training and avoiding the need for exhaustive scanning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If beam scanning and beam training are performed separately on transmit beam and receive beam, then optimal beams can be selected, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam selection accuracyVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the complex separate procedures of transmit beam scanning and receive beam training into a single integrated beam calibration process managed by the network device, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining optimal beam selection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces physical layer control signaling as an intermediary mechanism that carries beam direction indication information from the network device to the terminal device. This intermediary simplifies the beam management process by providing structured guidance that reduces the complexity of beam calibration operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If frequent beam scanning is performed to track user movement, then beam direction can be updated, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam direction accuracyVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic beam calibration triggered by physical layer control signaling rather than continuous scanning. The network device sends reference signals and control signaling at specific intervals to update beam directions based on user movement, maintaining reliable beam tracking while reducing resource consumption compared to continuous scanning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the system to self-adjust beam directions through automated beam calibration processes. The network device autonomously performs beam scanning and selects optimal beams based on channel quality measurements, reducing the need for manual intervention and optimizing resource utilization while maintaining accurate beam tracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3553964B1Signal transmission method, network device and terminal device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3553964B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3553964B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3553964B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a signal transmission method, a network device, and a terminal device, so as to implement fast beam calibration for the network device and the terminal device, thereby simplifying a beam management process of the network device or the terminal device, and maximizing resource utilization efficiency. The embodiments of the present invention provide the signal transmission method, including: sending, by a network device, N first reference signals to a terminal device, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; sending, by the network device, physical layer control signaling to the terminal device, where the physical layer control signaling is used to trigger the terminal device to send a channel quality measurement result of the N first reference signals to the network device, the physical layer control signaling is further used to instruct the terminal device to send M second reference signals to the network device, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; receiving, by the network device, the channel quality measurement result sent by the terminal device; and receiving, by the network device, the M second reference signals sent by the terminal device.