UE Beam Failure Indication with Autonomous BLER Thresholds

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in beam management due to static block error rate (BLER) threshold settings, leading to over-detection or under-detection of beam failures, particularly in high-frequency bands like FR2, which can result in unnecessary beam switches and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

User Equipment (UE) autonomously determines BLER threshold values based on machine learning capabilities, processing power, memory, and other factors, adjusting thresholds to enhance beam failure detection and reduce unnecessary beam switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If static BLER threshold settings are used in beam management, then system simplicity is maintained, but beam failure detection accuracy deteriorates leading to over-detection or under-detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreshold configuration complexityVSAvoidbeam failure detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BLER threshold adjustment by enabling UEs to autonomously determine and update their BLER thresholds based on observed beam failure instances and channel conditions. This transforms the static threshold configuration into a dynamic adaptation mechanism, allowing the threshold to evolve with changing wireless environments while maintaining detection accuracy without requiring complex centralized reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables UEs to self-determine BLER thresholds autonomously based on their own observations of beam failure instances and local channel conditions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex network-side threshold management while improving detection accuracy, as each UE adapts its threshold to its specific operational context without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If autonomous BLER threshold determination is implemented at UE, then beam failure detection accuracy is improved, but UE processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam failure detection accuracyVSAvoidUE processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a balanced approach where UEs perform autonomous BLER threshold determination based on a subset of available information (observed beam failure instances and basic channel conditions) rather than processing all possible parameters. This partial action approach achieves improved detection accuracy while limiting processing complexity to manageable levels, avoiding the need for exhaustive analysis of all channel state parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables UEs to self-determine BLER thresholds autonomously based on their own observations of beam failure instances and local channel conditions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex network-side threshold management while improving detection accuracy, as each UE adapts its threshold to its specific operational context without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If frequent beam switches are performed to maintain link quality, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary beam failure detection by monitoring BLER metrics and predicting potential beam failures before they occur. By detecting beam degradation trends early and triggering beam switches proactively, the system maintains communication reliability while avoiding the excessive power consumption associated with reactive switching after complete failures occur, thus optimizing the balance between reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UEs autonomously determine BLER thresholds based on observed beam failure instances and use this information to make informed beam switching decisions. This feedback-driven approach optimizes beam management by switching only when necessary, improving communication reliability while minimizing unnecessary beam switches that would increase power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4374512B1Methods and apparatuses for beam failure indication techniques based on user equipment autonomy capability
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4374512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4374512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4374512B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described for autonomous block error rate (BLER) threshold determination fur use in beam failure indication (BFI) procedures. A user equipment (UE) that is capable of autonomously determining a BLER threshold value may provide an indication of the capability to a base station. The base station may provide configuration information that enables the UE to perform autonomous BLER threshold determination, and the UE may determine the BLER threshold value based on the configuration information. The UE may determine that a BFI has occurred based on the determined BLER threshold, and thereby enhance beam failure detection procedures to provide more efficient and reliable communications.