Uplink Beam Training Using Orthogonal Pilot Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-frequency bands used in communication systems face challenges with high path loss and limited coverage due to narrow beam requirements, leading to increased overheads in beam training for multiple UEs, especially in user-intensive scenarios where existing methods are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a terminal device sending n pilot sequences using n beams in n timeslots within one uplink beam training period, allowing the network device to distinguish between devices and reduce training overheads by using partially or fully different pilot sequences, thereby increasing the number of UEs that can be simultaneously beam-trained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If narrow beam scanning and alignment are performed to obtain antenna gain in high frequency bands, then communication performance is improved, but beam training overheads increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidbeam training overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple UEs' beam training processes by allowing them to share the same time-frequency resources. Multiple UEs transmit different orthogonal pilot sequences simultaneously on the same resource, enabling the network device to perform joint beam training for multiple UEs rather than sequentially training each UE separately. This merging approach significantly reduces the total beam training overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses orthogonal pilot sequences as copies that can be transmitted simultaneously without interference. Each UE is assigned a unique orthogonal pilot sequence (or combination of sequences) that can be received and distinguished by the network device. This copying mechanism enables parallel beam training of multiple UEs using identical time-frequency resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the same time-frequency resource is shared by multiple UEs for beam training, then resource utilization is improved, but pilot sequence design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidpilot sequence design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pilot sequence resource by dividing it into multiple orthogonal sequences. Instead of using a single pilot sequence for all UEs, the system divides the available sequences into groups and assigns different orthogonal sequences to different UEs. This segmentation allows multiple UEs to share the same time-frequency resource while maintaining distinguishability through orthogonal sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of pilot sequences from identical to orthogonal. By transforming the pilot sequences into orthogonal variants (with different codes, phases, or patterns), the system enables multiple UEs to transmit simultaneously on the same resource without interference. This parameter change from uniform to orthogonal sequences resolves the conflict between resource sharing and sequence distinguishability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3382923B1Beam training method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3382923B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3382923B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3382923B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses a beam training method and an apparatus, and relates to the field of the communications technologies. The method includes: determining, by a terminal device, to send n pilot sequences to a network device by using n beams in n timeslots within one uplink beam training period, where the n pilot sequences are at least partially different, and n is a positive integer greater than 1; and sending, by the terminal device, the determined n pilot sequences to the network device by using the n beams in the n timeslots within the uplink beam training period. Within the uplink beam training period, the pilot sequences sent by the terminal device by using the n beams in the n timeslots to the network device are not exactly the same. In this way, within a same uplink beam training period, more terminal devices can be beam-trained. Therefore, overheads of beam training are reduced.