Sticky Uplink Beam Assignment for 5G NR Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic beam assignment in wireless communication networks for 5G NR systems results in unnecessary overhead and internal UE delays due to frequent signaling for uplink beam changes, especially in scenarios with persistent interference and unpredictable resource scheduling.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a sticky uplink beam assignment where the UE continues to use a designated uplink beam for all subsequent signals until a new beam ID is received from the base station, reducing the need for continuous dynamic beam switching and minimizing scheduling constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic beam assignment is implemented for uplink signals, then beam adaptability is improved, but signaling overhead increases and internal UE delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic beam assignment mechanism where the base station sends beam indication messages to the UE to switch between different uplink beams based on current channel conditions and interference patterns. This allows the system to adapt beam directions dynamically while managing the timing and signaling overhead through structured beam indication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic beam sweeping and beam measurement procedures where the UE periodically reports beam quality metrics and the base station periodically updates beam assignments. This periodic structure regularizes the signaling overhead and allows the system to balance between beam adaptability and signaling frequency, reducing unnecessary delays.
2Reliability
If frequent beam switching is performed, then communication reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple beam-related signaling functions into integrated beam indication messages that convey both beam selection and beam quality information simultaneously. This merging of signaling functions reduces the total number of separate messages required, lowering overhead while maintaining the ability to frequently update beam assignments for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses beam indication messages that reference previously established beam configurations rather than transmitting complete beam parameter sets repeatedly. This copying approach allows frequent beam updates with minimal signaling overhead, as only essential changes are communicated while maintaining communication reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic beam assignment is implemented, then beam adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam management process into distinct functional modules: beam measurement, beam reporting, beam indication, and beam switching. Each module handles a specific aspect of beam management independently, reducing overall scheduling complexity while maintaining beam adaptability through coordinated operation of these segmented functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beam indication messages as intermediary carriers that translate complex beam selection decisions into simplified UE actions. These intermediary messages abstract the complexity of beam management from the UE scheduling logic, allowing the base station to handle complex beam adaptation while the UE executes straightforward beam switching based on received indications.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a base station providing a user equipment (UE) with a sticky uplink beam assignment for one or more uplink signals. The UE may use the sticky uplink beam assignment for transmission of uplink signals until a new sticky uplink beam assignment is received. In some examples, the sticky uplink beam assignment may include an uplink beam identifier (ID) identifying an uplink beam associated with the transmission of an uplink signal. The uplink beam identified by the uplink beam ID may be used by the UE for transmission of the uplink signal and either all subsequent uplink signals (e.g., physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and/or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) or subsequent uplink signals of particular uplink channel types (e.g., dynamic PUSCH, configured grant (CG), PUCCH, etc.) until a new uplink beam ID is received. Other aspects, features, and examples are also claimed and described.