Periodic Uplink Spatial Relation Adaptation for Beam Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing periodic uplink transmissions due to beam misalignment, high transmission latency, and excessive signaling overhead, particularly in millimeter-wave frequencies, where network nodes struggle to efficiently manage spatial relations for devices moving within different beam coverage areas.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves configuring multiple transmission resources and occasions for periodic uplink transmissions, associating each transmission with a downlink reference signal as a spatial relation, and dynamically updating these resources based on signal quality measurements to ensure efficient and timely communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple transmission resources are configured for periodic uplink transmissions, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink transmission configuration into multiple independent transmission resources, each associated with specific downlink reference signals. This allows the system to configure multiple periodic transmission occasions with different spatial relations without creating a single complex configuration block, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic activation and deactivation mechanisms for transmission resources based on spatial relation changes. The network can dynamically adjust which transmission resources are active by signaling spatial relation updates, allowing the system to adapt to device movement between beam coverage areas without requiring all resources to be permanently configured, thus improving reliability while reducing active complexity.
2Reliability
If transmission resources are dynamically updated based on spatial relations, then transmission reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors spatial relations and provides updates on which transmission resources should be activated or deactivated. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain high reliability by adapting to changing spatial conditions while managing signaling overhead through targeted updates only when necessary, rather than continuous reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic resource activation where transmission resources are pre-configured but only activated when needed based on spatial relation changes. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain reliability through adaptive resource selection while minimizing signaling overhead by avoiding unnecessary reconfiguration of inactive resources.
3Reliability
If periodic uplink transmissions are aligned with network node reception direction, then transmission reliability is improved, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments periodic transmissions into multiple independent occasions, each of which can be independently timed and spatially aligned. This segmentation allows the system to align transmissions with network node reception directions for reliability while maintaining flexible timing that minimizes overall latency by not requiring all transmissions to wait for a single synchronized opportunity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary configuration of transmission resources with pre-established spatial relations and timing parameters. By preparing multiple transmission occasions in advance with appropriate spatial alignment, the system can execute transmissions with minimal delay while ensuring reliability through pre-configured beam alignment, avoiding the need for last-minute reconfiguration that would increase latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, network node and wireless device (WD) for adapting periodic configurations based on spatial relations are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes configuring multiple transmission resources or multiple sets of transmission occasions for a radio resource control configured periodic uplink transmission. The method further includes associating each configured uplink transmission received from the WD by the network node with a downlink reference signal, the downlink reference signal provided as a direct or indirect spatial relation reference for the uplink transmission.