UE Beam Index Echo via PUCCH for 5G Signaling Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing beam changes between user equipment (UE) and the radio access network, leading to potential misalignment and increased signaling delay due to the lack of immediate feedback and verification mechanisms for beam change indications.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the user equipment (UE) receives a beam change indication through DCI or MAC CE signaling, and based on specific conditions, it echoes a new beam index in the PUCCH feedback resource, triggers scheduling requests on indicated resources, or performs periodic scheduling requests to validate and align with the new beam, ensuring timely and accurate beam change procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If beam change indication is sent without immediate feedback verification, then signaling delay is reduced, but beam alignment reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE echoes the received beam index back to the network through PUCCH or scheduling request resources. This feedback loop allows the network to verify whether the beam change indication was successfully received and interpreted, enabling immediate detection and correction of any misalignment issues without waiting for subsequent transmission failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary validation by having the UE immediately echo the beam index upon receiving the beam change indication, before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary action allows the network to confirm beam alignment status in advance, preventing wasted transmissions on misaligned beams and reducing overall signaling delay.
2Reliability
If multiple feedback mechanisms are implemented for beam change verification, then beam alignment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects the feedback mechanism based on current system conditions and configuration. The UE can use PUCCH resources when available and configured, or fall back to scheduling request resources when PUCCH is not suitable. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high reliability while avoiding unnecessary complexity in any single feedback path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing uplink resources serve dual purposes: PUCCH resources are used both for their original control information functions and for beam index echo feedback, while scheduling request resources similarly serve both their original function and as fallback feedback mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated feedback resources, thereby limiting complexity increase.
3Measurement precision
If beam index echo is required in all conditions, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by requiring beam index echo only under specific conditions: when PUCCH resources are indicated and configured, or when scheduling request resources are indicated. In other scenarios where beam changes are less critical or resources are not available, the full echo mechanism is not applied. This selective approach maintains high alignment accuracy where needed while reducing overall signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different feedback requirements to different situations and resource types. PUCCH resources trigger beam index echo in specific configurations, while scheduling request resources trigger echo only when PUCCH is not available. This localized application of quality control ensures high beam alignment accuracy in critical scenarios while minimizing unnecessary signaling overhead in less critical scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for a user equipment to receive a downlink control information message from an access point in a wireless communications network and to echo a new beam index in the PUCCH feedback resource in response to the message indicating a PUCCH feedback resource and containing a beam change information or in response to the message indicating a downlink grant containing a beam change indication MAC control element but so CSI-feedback is scheduled for the PUCCH feedback resource. If a scheduling request resource is indicated by the message or the MAC control element, the user equipment is triggered to transit a scheduling request on that indicated scheduling request resource. If a scheduling request resource is not indicated by the message or the MAC control element, the user equipment is triggered to perform a scheduling request procedure on a periodic scheduling request resource.