Uplink Partitioning for Millimeter Wave Beam Refinement Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter wave (mmW) systems face inefficiencies in beam refinement procedures, requiring multiple transmissions and consuming power, especially in shared or unlicensed spectrum, due to the need for multiple training symbols and contention procedures, which can prolong beam sweeping and refinement processes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves partitioning multiple dimensions of an uplink transmission to convey different feedback information, such as beam selection and refinement, using time, frequency, root sequence, cyclic shift, or time-frequency resources, allowing for efficient feedback using fewer transmission resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple beam refinement transmissions are used to establish active beam pairs, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but power consumption and time resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback information is segmented into two distinct parts: beam selection information and beam refinement information. Each part is transmitted using different uplink resources, allowing the system to efficiently convey both types of information without requiring multiple separate transmissions, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for feedback transmission by utilizing cyclic shift of reference signals to encode beam refinement information. This adds an additional layer of information encoding beyond traditional time-frequency resources, enabling comprehensive feedback in a single transmission opportunity
2Measurement precision
If multiple training symbols are used in beam refinement procedures, then beam pair accuracy is improved, but time resources and network efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges beam selection feedback and beam refinement feedback into a single uplink transmission. By combining both information types in one message using different resource partitions, the system eliminates the need for multiple separate training symbol transmissions, reducing time consumption while maintaining beam pair accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The uplink transmission is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys both beam selection information and beam refinement information. This multi-functional approach allows a single transmission to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate transmissions, improving network efficiency
3Reliability
If contention procedures are implemented in shared spectrum, then spectrum access reliability is improved, but beam sweeping time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary beam selection and refinement feedback in a single coordinated uplink transmission. By preparing and sending both beam selection and refinement information together before contention occurs, the system reduces the time required for beam sweeping procedures while maintaining reliable spectrum access through proper contention protocols
4Loss of information
If multiple uplink transmissions are used for feedback, then feedback completeness is improved, but network efficiency and resource utilization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Feedback information is segmented into beam selection part and beam refinement part, with each part assigned to specific uplink resources. This segmentation allows complete feedback to be conveyed in a single transmission rather than requiring multiple separate transmissions, improving network efficiency while maintaining feedback completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes cyclic shift dimension to encode additional beam refinement information within the same time-frequency resources. This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive feedback without increasing the number of transmissions, thereby maintaining network efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described that provide for partitioning two or more dimensions of an uplink transmission, where different partitions in each partitioned dimension can be used to provide different feedback information. A UE may measure one or more downlink transmissions from a base station (e.g., beam measurements in a beam sweep procedure), and select a partition of one of the partitioned dimensions to indicate feedback related to the measured downlink transmissions. The feedback may indicate, for example, a particular beam that may be used for an active beam pair, beam refinement information, or other feedback. The partitioned dimensions may include one or more of time resource, a frequency resource dimension, a root sequence dimension, a cyclic shift dimension, a time-frequency dimension, or any combination thereof.