UE Beamforming Restricted Set for Mobility Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in 5G systems, user equipment (UE) beamforming adjustments based on beam reference signals (BRS) can lead to sudden link quality degradation when measuring signals from non-serving transmission points, causing potential connection loss due to high mobility or unstable propagation environments, as existing solutions do not adequately manage beam changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a restricted set of useable beam reference signals for UE beamforming adjustments, with criteria-based updates to include additional signals, and requiring network acknowledgement or minor changes to prevent sudden beam direction shifts, thereby maintaining connection stability during mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE adjusts beamforming based on all measured beam reference signals from multiple transmission points, then link quality can be optimized by selecting the strongest signal, but sudden beam direction changes occur causing connection loss during high mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of measurable beam reference signals into two distinct sets: a first set of BRS from the serving transmission point and a second set of BRS from non-serving transmission points. This segmentation allows the UE to maintain beamforming based on the serving TP signals while optionally incorporating non-serving TP signals, preventing sudden beam changes that cause connection loss during mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality criteria to different beam reference signal sets. For the first set (serving TP), the UE must find at least one BRS with reference signal received power above a first threshold. For the second set (non-serving TP), signals are only considered if their received power exceeds a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold. This differentiated approach ensures stable beam selection from serving TPs while allowing controlled consideration of non-serving TPs.
2Reliability
If UE uses a restricted set of beam reference signals for beamforming adjustments, then connection stability is maintained during mobility, but the ability to quickly adapt to new transmission points is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam reference signal set management where the UE can update which BRS are considered for beamforming adjustments based on changing mobility conditions. The network can signal the UE to include or exclude specific BRS from the restricted set, allowing the system to adapt the beam selection criteria dynamically rather than using a fixed restricted set, thus balancing stability and responsiveness.
3Measurement precision
If the network transmits beam reference signals repeatedly in many different beam directions, then comprehensive beam measurement coverage is achieved, but resource overhead increases due to long repetition periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UE to perform preliminary measurements of beam reference signals from multiple transmission points and store this information in advance. When beamforming adjustments are needed, the UE can utilize these pre-measured BRS and their associated received power values immediately, eliminating the need for the network to repeatedly transmit BRS in all beam directions and significantly reducing the repetition period while maintaining comprehensive measurement coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein are directed to methods for controlling user equipment (UE) beamforming in a wireless network. According to certain embodiments, a (UE) can receive one or more beam reference signals included in a restricted set of useable beam reference signals for adjusting the UE beamforming. Further, the UE can receive one or more beam reference signals outside of the restricted set. It can be determined whether to update the restricted set to include a subset of the one or more beam reference signals outside of the restricted set, based on predetermined criteria. The UE beamforming can be adjusted based on beam reference signals in the restricted set.