UE Availability Signaling for Measurement Window Resource Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, the overhead associated with UE mobility measurements using beamforming leads to inefficiencies such as low data rates, reduced capacity, and low spectral efficiency due to interference and the assumption of UE unavailability during measurement windows, even when not performing measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method where the UE determines whether to monitor a portion of a synchronization signal block (SSB) during a measurement window and transmits a signal indicating its availability, allowing the base station to transmit data or control signals accordingly, thereby optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base station assumes the UE is performing mobility measurements during a measurement window, then the UE can perform beamforming to receive synchronization signals from neighboring base stations, but the base station cannot transmit data or control signals to the UE during this period, resulting in reduced data rates and spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines UE availability during measurement windows based on actual measurement activity. The base station receives availability indicators from the UE and adapts its transmission strategy accordingly, transitioning from a static assumption of unavailability to a dynamic approach that allows data transmission when the UE is not performing measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE provides feedback to the base station regarding its availability status during measurement windows through availability indicators. This feedback mechanism allows the base station to adjust its data transmission decisions based on real-time UE state, enabling optimized resource utilization while ensuring reliable mobility measurements when needed.
2Reliability
If the base station abstains from transmitting data or control signals during the entire measurement window, then the UE can reliably perform beamforming and receive synchronization signals, but the measurement window becomes a period of complete resource idle time, reducing network capacity and spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement window is segmented into periods when the UE is actually performing measurements and periods when it is not. The base station transmits data only during non-measurement periods within the measurement window, effectively dividing the window into active and inactive transmission zones based on UE availability status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic availability indication where the UE signals its availability status at regular intervals during the measurement window. This allows the base station to transmit data in periodic bursts during available periods while ensuring measurement reliability during measurement periods, creating a rhythmic pattern of transmission and measurement.
3Reliability
If the UE uses the same analog beam for the entire frequency range during beamforming, then the UE can maintain consistent beam direction for synchronization signal reception, but all component carriers in inter-band carrier aggregation become unavailable for data and control information transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency range is segmented into different component carriers that can be handled independently. The UE maintains a consistent analog beam for synchronization signal reception while the base station transmits data on specific component carriers during periods when the UE is not performing measurements, separating the beamforming function from the data transmission function in time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which component carriers are available for data transmission based on the UE's measurement schedule and availability status. When the UE is performing beamforming measurements, certain component carriers are reserved for synchronization signals, but when the UE is available, those same carriers can be used for data transmission, creating a dynamic resource allocation pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for communicating a base station signal, such as a data signal, a control signal, or both, from a base station to a user equipment (UE) during a measurement window. In some aspects, the UE signals its availability corresponding to a measurement window to a serving base station. In some aspects, the UE signals a guard period associated with the measurement window to the serving base station. In other aspects, the serving base station signals a guard period to the UE.