Uplink Resource Switching for Beam Interruption in High-Frequency Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-frequency communication systems, signal quality issues lead to interruptions in communication between base stations and terminal devices due to the need for uplink feedback using the original transmission beam, which is interrupted when the beam is compromised.

Innovation Solution

A method where a terminal device receives indication information from a base station to switch to alternative resources for uplink transmission, allowing the base station to re-determine the target resource and avoid interruptions by using configured beams, time, frequency, or code domain resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If beamforming technology is used to ensure radio signal coverage in high frequency communication, then transmission distance is improved, but beam width becomes narrow making the system vulnerable to obstructions and user movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidbeam coverage flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam switching by pre-configuring multiple uplink resources (beam1, beam2, beam3) and enabling the terminal to switch between them based on real-time channel conditions. When the current beam's signal quality deteriorates (e.g., RSRP threshold not met), the terminal switches to an alternative beam, making the system adaptable to user movement and obstructions while maintaining transmission distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs preliminary configuration of multiple uplink resources and beamforming parameters before communication interruptions occur. The terminal device is pre-provided with alternative beam resources and switching criteria, enabling rapid response when the current beam becomes compromised without requiring complex real-time negotiations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the terminal device uses the original transmission beam for uplink feedback, then feedback accuracy is maintained, but communication is interrupted when the original beam is blocked or user moves out of coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback accuracyVSAvoidcommunication continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces alternative uplink resources as intermediaries between the terminal and base station. When the original transmission beam (primary communication path) is blocked, the terminal switches to pre-configured alternative beams (intermediary paths) to maintain feedback transmission. This allows the system to preserve communication continuity while eventually re-establishing accurate feedback through the alternative path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device changes the transmission parameter (beam resource) from the original beam to an alternative beam when channel conditions deteriorate. By switching the beam resource parameter while maintaining the feedback transmission function, the system preserves communication reliability and can restore feedback accuracy through the new beam path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of stationary object

If narrow beam widths are used in high frequency communication, then transmission distance is extended, but signal quality decreases when obstructions occur or user moves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidsignal quality stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts beam selection based on real-time signal quality measurements. The terminal monitors RSRP of the current beam and switches to alternative beams when thresholds are not met, making the narrow beam system adaptable to obstructions and user movement while maintaining extended transmission distance capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple beamforming configurations are pre-established at the base station before communication interruptions occur. When signal quality deteriorates due to obstructions or user movement, the system can immediately switch to pre-configured alternative beams, maintaining transmission distance while restoring signal quality stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3512281B1Communication method, base station and terminal device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3512281B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3512281B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3512281B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, a base station, and a terminal device. The communication method includes: sending, by a base station, first indication information to a terminal device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission by using at least one configured resource, and the at least one resource includes a resource that is different from a resource currently used by the terminal device; and receiving, by the base station, one or more signals sent by the terminal device by using one or more resources in the at least one resource according to the first indication information. In the embodiments of this application, the base station instructs the terminal device to perform uplink transmission by using the at least one configured resource, and redetermines, based on the signal sent by the terminal device by using the at least one resource, a target resource used for uplink transmission, to avoid a case in which the terminal device cannot perform uplink transmission because a signal on the currently used resource is interrupted, thereby avoiding interruption of communication between the base station and the terminal device.