UE Beam Sweeping Number for 5G Network Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G wireless communication systems face challenges in providing efficient beamforming and beam sweeping due to the limited number of concurrent high-gain beams that can be formed by access points, especially at higher frequencies, leading to reduced cell coverage and increased sensitivity to time and space variations, which affects signal reliability and interference management.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment (UE) devices provide information related to UE beamforming, including the beam sweeping number, to network nodes, allowing for optimized resource allocation and configuration, enabling efficient beam management and coverage across all possible directions through dynamic generation and switching of beam subsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points form multiple high-gain beams concurrently, then beam coverage and signal reliability improve, but the number of concurrent beams is limited by hardware constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beamforming process into two distinct functions: network beamforming (forming multiple high-gain beams concurrently) and UE beamforming (selecting and switching between beams). This segmentation allows the network to maintain multiple beams while the UE handles beam selection, effectively dividing the complex task of full-dimension beam management between network and user equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beam switching capability at the UE side, where the UE can dynamically select and switch between different network beams based on mobility conditions and signal quality. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable connectivity as users move, compensating for the limited number of concurrent beams the network can form.
2Device complexity
If the network forms fewer concurrent beams, then hardware complexity reduces, but cell coverage and interference management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UE to perform self-service in beam management by autonomously selecting and switching between network beams based on measured signal qualities. The UE monitors multiple network beams and independently determines the optimal beam to use, reducing the need for the network to form and manage a large number of concurrent beams while maintaining adequate coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary beam measurement and selection at the UE side before actual data transmission. The UE performs measurements on multiple network beams in advance, identifies suitable beams, and prepares beam switching in anticipation of mobility or signal degradation, allowing the network to operate with fewer concurrent beams while maintaining coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the network manages beam switching autonomously, then beam management precision improves, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam selection and switching decision-making function from the network and relocates it to the UE. The network provides beamforming signals and basic configuration information, while the UE independently performs beam measurement, selection, and switching. This extraction reduces network signaling overhead while maintaining precise beam management through UE-side intelligence.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a wireless communications system is disclosed. In one example, a user equipment (UE) device (e.g. a mobile phone) provides a UE beam sweeping number to a network node. Based on the UE beam sweeping number, the network node provides configuration information or allocates a resource to the UE device. The UE device can use the configuration information or the resource for measurement. The beam sweeping number refers to the number of time intervals that the UE device would need to generate multiple sets of UE beams, one set per time interval, that would cover all possible directions in which the UE device sends and/or receives transmissions, in a manner that resembles a sweeping of UE beams.