UE-Specific SRS Configuration for Uplink Beam Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in efficiently implementing enhanced sounding reference signaling for uplink beam tracking, particularly in maintaining accurate beam alignment and reducing power consumption due to mobility and limited transmit power issues.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a UE-specific SRS configuration based on the UE's SRS capability, enabling both long-term and short-term beam tracking. This includes periodic and aperiodic SRS processes, where the eNB configures multiple periodic SRS processes and dynamically triggers aperiodic SRS processes to refine beam alignment, supporting multi-point reception and multi-beam UL transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If periodic SRS processes are configured for beam tracking, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts SRS transmission based on UE mobility state. For stationary or low-mobility UEs, periodic SRS processes are used with extended periodicity to reduce power consumption. For high-mobility UEs, the system switches to aperiodic SRS processes or reduces periodicity to maintain beam alignment accuracy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching the tracking intensity to the actual mobility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of SRS processes based on mobility conditions: periodicity values are adjusted (e.g., from 2ms to 8ms for low mobility), bandwidth allocation is modified, and the number of SRS resources are changed. These parameter changes allow the system to maintain adequate beam alignment accuracy while reducing power consumption for UEs with lower mobility requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple periodic SRS processes are configured, then beam tracking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam tracking function is segmented into multiple periodic SRS processes, each with specific purposes (e.g., one for initial alignment, another for refinement). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability through diversity while managing complexity by assigning clear roles to each process and using standardized configurations for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple periodic SRS processes are designed with universal structures and shared configuration parameters. The same SRS resource pool and measurement procedures are reused across different processes, reducing the overall complexity despite having multiple processes. The system achieves reliability through the multi-functionality of these standardized processes.
3Measurement precision
If aperiodic SRS processes are used for beam refinement, then beam alignment precision is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Periodic SRS processes are configured in advance to maintain basic beam alignment, reducing the need for frequent aperiodic SRS transmissions. This preliminary action establishes a foundation that reduces the precision requirements for aperiodic refinement, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining adequate alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses measurements from periodic SRS processes to self-determine when aperiodic SRS is actually needed. By monitoring beam alignment quality from the periodic processes, the system can trigger aperiodic refinement only when necessary, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining precision when required.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods to implement enhanced sounding reference signaling for uplink (UL) beam tracking in communication systems are described. In one example, an apparatus of an evolved Node B (eNB) comprising processing circuit to broadcast system information about one or more sets of uplink transmit time intervals and bandwidths available for a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission from a first user equipment (UE), configure one or more UE-specific SRS processes for the first UE for uplink beam tracking, and configure one or more millimeter wave access points (mmW APs) to transmit a mmW signal to the first UE and receive a mmW signal from the first UE. Other examples are also disclosed and claimed.