UE Beam Refinement via Inter-UE Signal Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR systems face challenges in efficiently managing beam refinement for user equipment, particularly in reducing the resource consumption required for CSI-RS repetitions, which can lead to increased network load and reduced data communication resources.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves allowing user equipment (UE) to perform beam selection procedures using signals transmitted to other UEs served by the same or similar beams, thereby reducing the need for dedicated CSI-RS repetitions and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated CSI-RS repetitions are used for beam selection procedure, then beam refinement accuracy is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single CSI-RS signal to serve multiple functions: it is used for both data communication with a first UE and for beam selection procedure by a second UE. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated CSI-RS repetitions for beam selection, thereby reducing network resource consumption while maintaining beam refinement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the beam selection procedure with the data communication process by allowing the second UE to perform beam selection based on CSI-RS repetitions intended for the first UE. This combining of operations reduces the total number of separate signaling events and resource allocations needed.
2Reliability
If frequent beam refinement is performed for multiple UEs, then link reliability is improved, but available data communication resources are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By making the CSI-RS signal universal for both beam management and data communication purposes, the system can maintain frequent beam refinement across multiple UEs without proportionally increasing resource consumption, thus preserving data communication capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second UE performs beam selection autonomously by measuring CSI-RS repetitions that are already being transmitted for the first UE's data communication. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional network-coordinated beam refinement resources.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated resources are allocated for beam selection procedure, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CSI-RS repetitions serve dual purposes: maintaining data communication with the first UE and enabling beam selection at the second UE. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated resources for beam selection, reducing network load while preserving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines beam selection functionality with existing data communication transmissions, merging what would traditionally be separate resource allocations into a single efficient operation that reduces overall network load.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitation of beam refinement for a user equipment are provided. For example, a method can include receiving, at a user equipment, a downlink configuration for a beam selection procedure. The method can also include receiving, at the user equipment, an indication to use a signal in the beam selection procedure. The signal can be targeted at another user equipment. The user equipment and the another user equipment can be served by a same beam or by similar beams. The method can further include receiving the signal by the user equipment. The signal can be transmitted on a beam corresponding to the same beam or one of the similar beams. The method can additionally include performing, by the user equipment, the beam selection procedure based on measurements of the signal.