Uplink Transmit Beam Selection from Downlink Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently selecting uplink transmit beams due to hardware limitations and changing channel conditions, leading to potential beam failures, reduced throughput, and coverage issues, especially in high-frequency bands like mmWave.
Innovation Solution
A method for uplink transmit beam selection in wireless communication systems, where a user equipment (UE) selects and reports a subset of its transmit-receive entities based on downlink measurement signals, allowing for dynamic adjustment of uplink beams to optimize communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE uses a fixed uplink transmit beam configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but beam reliability deteriorates under changing channel conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam selection by allowing the UE to choose from multiple configured transmit beams based on current channel conditions. The UE receives configuration for multiple beams and dynamically selects the most appropriate one for uplink transmission, transforming the static beam configuration into an adaptive system that responds to changing propagation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the UE reports beam measurement results and selection preferences to the base station. This feedback loop enables the network to understand which beams are performing well and adjust configurations accordingly, improving beam reliability through continuous optimization based on actual channel performance.
2Measurement precision
If the UE reports all Xtot Tx-Rx entities, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to excessive reporting overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most relevant information for beam selection by having the UE identify and report a subset of candidate beams rather than all possible beams. The UE selects beams that meet certain criteria (e.g., above a threshold quality level) and reports only those, filtering out unnecessary information while preserving the essential measurement data needed for effective beam management.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reporting all possible beam measurements, the patent implements partial reporting where the UE reports a limited number of top candidate beams. This partial action approach provides sufficient information for the base station to make informed beam selection decisions without incurring the full overhead of reporting every possible beam measurement.
3Productivity
If the system uses beamforming at mmWave frequencies, then productivity is improved through higher data rates, but beam reliability deteriorates due to beam failure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares multiple candidate transmit beams in advance and configures them before uplink transmission is needed. By pre-configuring multiple beams with different spatial characteristics, the system ensures that alternative beams are ready to use if the primary beam fails, preventing service interruption and maintaining reliability while preserving the high throughput benefits of mmWave beamforming.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a user equipment comprises transmitting a capability information including a total number (Xtot) of transmit-receive (Tx-Rx) entities at the UE; receiving, based on the capability information, configuration information including information on reporting a selection of Y Tx-Rx entities; selecting, based on the configuration information, the Y Tx-Rx entities; determining a report including an indication about the selection of the Y Tx-Rx entities; and transmitting the report, wherein the Y Tx-Rx entities are selected from X Tx-Rx entities that comprise all of or a subset of the Xtot Tx-Rx entities at the UE, and X≤Xtot.