Uplink-Only Carrier Beam Selection for Asymmetric Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communications networks face challenges in providing efficient uplink coverage, particularly in dense deployment scenarios with asymmetric coverage areas, where uplink and downlink coverage areas do not overlap.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a communications device receiving an indication of uplink resources from infrastructure equipment on a first carrier and transmitting directional uplink beams on a second, uplink-only carrier. The infrastructure equipment performs measurements on these beams and provides feedback to the device, allowing for the selection of an optimal uplink beam without relying on channel reciprocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If directional uplink beams are transmitted on a uplink-only carrier, then uplink coverage is improved and transmission power is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink transmission by introducing a dedicated uplink-only carrier separate from the downlink carrier. This allows uplink transmissions to occur on a specialized frequency resource optimized for uplink coverage, enabling devices to transmit directional beams with reduced power requirements while maintaining reliable connectivity in asymmetric coverage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement and feedback mechanism where the network equipment measures the directional uplink beams transmitted on the uplink-only carrier and provides feedback to the device. This intermediary process enables the device to select optimal uplink beams without relying on channel reciprocity, thereby improving uplink coverage while managing device complexity through network-assisted beam selection.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If directional uplink beams are transmitted on a uplink-only carrier, then uplink interference is minimized, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum by dedicating a separate uplink-only carrier for uplink transmissions, isolating uplink signals from downlink signals. This frequency separation minimizes uplink interference by preventing downlink transmissions from occurring on the same carrier, thereby reducing harmful interference effects in dense deployment scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement and feedback mechanism where the network equipment measures the directional uplink beams transmitted on the uplink-only carrier and provides feedback to the device. This intermediary process enables the device to select optimal uplink beams without relying on channel reciprocity, thereby improving uplink coverage while managing device complexity through network-assisted beam selection.
3Reliability
If channel reciprocity is not relied upon for beam selection, then uplink coverage in asymmetric scenarios is improved, but measurement and feedback requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the network equipment perform measurements on the directional uplink beams before final beam selection. The network measures the transmitted beams on the uplink-only carrier and prepares feedback information in advance, enabling the device to select optimal uplink beams without relying on channel reciprocity assumptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network equipment measures the directional uplink beams transmitted by the device and provides measurement results back to the device. This feedback loop enables the device to identify and select the optimal uplink beam based on actual network measurements, improving reliability in asymmetric coverage scenarios where channel reciprocity cannot be assumed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a communications device for transmitting signals to and/or receiving signals from infrastructure equipment of a wireless communications network is provided. The method comprises receiving, from the infrastructure equipment on a first carrier for the communications device, an indication of uplink resources for transmitting a plurality of directional uplink beams to the infrastructure equipment on an second carrier for the communications device. The second carrier is an uplink-only carrier. The method comprises transmitting the plurality of directional uplink beams to the infrastructure equipment on the second carrier in accordance with the uplink resources indicated by the infrastructure equipment. The method comprises receiving, from the infrastructure equipment on the first carrier, an indication of a result of measurements performed on the plurality of directional uplink beams transmitted on the second carrier.