UE Antenna Module Locking for Precise Spherical Coverage Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications systems face challenges in accurately testing the performance of individual antenna modules in user equipment (UE) due to beam selection variability during testing, which affects the evaluation of spherical coverage metrics.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a UE antenna module lock function that allows a network entity to instruct a UE to communicate via a single antenna module, perform measurements, and then switch to another module, ensuring comprehensive evaluation of each module's performance through beam lock and module lock commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beam selection is allowed to vary during testing, then the UE can dynamically adapt to different communication conditions, but the performance of individual antenna modules cannot be accurately tested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into individual antenna modules and applies separate locking mechanisms to each module. This allows the testing system to isolate and evaluate each antenna module's performance independently, preventing beam selection variability from masking individual module characteristics. The module-level locking enables precise measurement of each module's spherical coverage metrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary locking actions before performance testing begins. The network entity locks both the beam and the specific antenna module before initiating measurements, ensuring that the UE maintains a fixed configuration throughout the testing procedure. This preliminary locking prevents any dynamic beam switching or module selection that would compromise measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If cumulative performance metrics are used, then the overall system performance can be evaluated, but underperforming individual modules are masked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the overall performance evaluation into separate module-level evaluations. By locking individual antenna modules and measuring their spherical coverage metrics independently, the system can identify underperforming modules that would be masked in cumulative metrics. Each module's performance is segmented and evaluated separately, providing granular insights into individual module quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality evaluation by assessing each antenna module's performance characteristics independently rather than evaluating the aggregate system performance. The locking mechanism ensures that each module is tested under controlled conditions, allowing the system to detect local deficiencies in specific modules while maintaining overall system functionality.
3Measurement precision
If the UE is instructed to communicate via a single antenna module, then individual module performance can be tested, but the testing procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network entity as an intermediary that manages the locking mechanism and coordinates the testing procedure. The network entity receives locking commands, instructs the UE to communicate via the locked antenna module, and manages the testing process. This intermediary simplifies the overall procedure by centralizing control and coordination, making the complex module-level testing more manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications systems are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive, from a network entity, a set of beam-swept synchronization signals associated with a testing procedure for the UE. The UE may select a first beam pair associated with a first antenna module of the UE from a set of multiple beam pairs associated with the received synchronization signals. The UE may receive a first module lock command and a first beam lock command, and may utilize the commands in performing a first set of measurements of the first beam pair at the first antenna module. The UE may receive a first beam lock deactivation command to release the first beam lock command of the first beam pair, and a first module lock deactivation command to release the first module lock command of the first antenna module.