SRS-Based Direct Link Discovery for UE-to-UE Beam Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, User Equipment (UE) face challenges in discovering suitable direct device-to-device communication links and performing directional beam searches efficiently, as existing methods lack effective mechanisms for identifying good link candidates and allocating necessary resources for beam searches.
Innovation Solution
UEs receive Sounding Reference Signals (SRS) to determine suitable communication partners, send direct link requests to their serving gNBs, which negotiate a joint schedule for beam searches using SRS resources, allowing UEs to establish direct links by determining optimal beam pairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEs perform directional beam search to establish direct device-to-device communication links, then link quality and communication reliability are improved, but resource consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having UEs transmit Sounding Reference Signals (SRS) before actual data transmission. These SRS transmissions serve as pre-sounding that enables receiving UEs to evaluate link quality in advance, identify suitable beam directions, and prepare for direct communication. This preliminary beam training reduces the complexity of the full beam search process by pre-establishing candidate beam pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the Sounding Reference Signal as an intermediary mechanism. The SRS acts as a probe signal that mediates between the transmitting UE and receiving UE, enabling the receiving UE to measure signal quality, determine geometric relationships, and identify beam directions without requiring complex direct beam searching. The SRS resources serve as an intermediary tool that simplifies the beam management process.
2Measurement precision
If UEs conduct comprehensive beam search to identify optimal beam pairs, then communication quality is improved, but time consumption and resource allocation overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having UEs transmit SRS on selected resource occasions rather than continuously on all possible resources. The network configures specific SRS resource occasions that are sufficient for beam identification purposes, avoiding the need to exhaustively search all possible beam combinations. This partial sampling approach achieves adequate beam pair identification precision while reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing SRS-based preliminary measurements before actual data transmission, the system identifies candidate beam pairs in advance. This preliminary beam training reduces the time required during actual communication, as the beam directions are pre-determined through the SRS measurement process rather than being searched in real-time during data transmission.
3Productivity
If UEs use SRS resources for beam search, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but the complexity of resource scheduling and coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using SRS resources for multiple purposes: uplink channel sounding for the base station, beam direction identification for direct UE-to-UE communication, and geometric relationship measurement. This multi-functionality improves resource utilization efficiency as the same SRS resources serve multiple objectives, reducing the need for separate dedicated resources for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the beam management function with the existing SRS resource framework. Instead of creating separate dedicated resources for beam search, the system combines beam identification functionality with the uplink SRS resources that already exist for channel sounding. This merging reduces overall resource overhead and simplifies scheduling by utilizing an existing resource structure for multiple purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods establishing and maintain a direct User Equipment to User Equipment communication link are disclosed. A User Equipment (UE) may receive a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) from a neighboring UE. The UE may determine from the SRS that the UE is a good candidate for a direct link. The UE may also determine from the SRS an ID associated with the neighboring UE. The UE may send a direct link request to the UE serving gNB. The serving gNB may forward the request to a gNB serving the neighboring UE. The gNBs may negotiate a joint schedule for a beam a UE to UE beam search. The beam search may be conducted using SRS resources. The results of the beam search may be sent to the gNB and the gNB may determine a beam pair for a direct link.