Smart Repeater Beamforming for 5G Mobility Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the 5G radio access system, the mobility of a user equipment (UE) connecting to a base station via a smart repeater is hindered due to the lack of disclosed targets and procedures for quality measurement, preventing the UE from performing necessary measurements and the base station from controlling the repeater's beams.

Innovation Solution

A communication system is designed with a base station and a repeater equipped with beamforming capabilities, where the base station transmits information on the beam to be used for relay processing and a reference signal for mobility control to the repeater. The repeater forms the beam based on the received information, transmits the reference signal to the UE, and relays measurement results back to the base station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a smart repeater is introduced to extend coverage, then the coverage area is improved, but the mobility control capability deteriorates due to lack of measurement targets and procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidmobility control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The smart repeater acts as an intermediary device between the base station and user equipment. It receives reference signals from the base station, performs relay processing with beamforming, and transmits processed signals to the UE. This intermediary function extends coverage while maintaining mobility control through coordinated beam management and measurement relay mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the UE measures reference signals transmitted through the repeater and reports measurement results back to the base station. The base station uses this feedback to adjust beamforming parameters and maintain optimal connectivity, enabling mobility control even through the repeater infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If beamforming is used to secure cell coverage, then the transmission quality is improved, but the system complexity increases due to beam management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beamforming function is segmented and distributed across multiple entities: the base station generates reference signals and controls beam parameters, the smart repeater performs local beamforming processing, and the UE executes measurements. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on any single device while maintaining overall transmission quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables the UE to connect reliably to the base station via the smart repeater, establishing a high-reliability communication system by facilitating effective mobility control and beam management.

Implementation Method 1

The repeater is configured to, after receiving the reference signal, form the beam based on the information on the beam received from the base station

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Data Source

PatentEP4568336A1Communication system
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4568336A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4568336A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4568336A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication system includes a base station applied to a fifth generation radio access system, and a repeater having a beamforming function and being configured to perform relay processing between the base station and a communication terminal, the base station being configured to transmit information on a beam to be used in the relay processing and transmit a reference signal to be used for measurement for mobility control of the communication terminal to the repeater, and the repeater being configured to, after receiving the reference signal, form the beam based on the information on the beam received from the base station and transmit the reference signal to the communication terminal, receive measurement results of the reference signal from the communication terminal, and relay the measurement results to the base station.