Wireless UE Beam Selection with Adaptive Measurement Periodicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in beam measurement techniques, particularly in high and low mobility scenarios, leading to poor system performance and user experience due to stale measurements and inadequate beam switching.

Innovation Solution

Implementing beam selection based on measurement periodicities, where prioritized beams are scheduled for measurement at the same periodicity as the serving beam in high mobility scenarios, and layer one beams are measured at a slower cadence in low mobility scenarios, allowing for more reliable and efficient beam switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If beam measurements are performed at a single fixed periodicity for all beams, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to stale measurements in high mobility scenarios and unnecessary overhead in low mobility scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement scheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement periodicity adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the measurement periodicity based on the detected mobility state of the UE. When high mobility is detected, measurements are performed at a first (higher) periodicity to capture rapid channel changes. When low mobility is detected, measurements are performed at a second (lower) periodicity to reduce overhead. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between measurement accuracy and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement periodicity parameter based on mobility conditions. The network configures different periodicity values (first periodicity for high mobility, second periodicity for low mobility) and switches between them based on detected mobility state. This parameter change allows the system to optimize measurement accuracy for each mobility scenario while avoiding unnecessary measurement overhead, thereby resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If beam measurements are performed frequently to maintain accuracy in high mobility scenarios, then measurement freshness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam selection reliabilityVSAvoidUE energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts measurement frequency based on mobility state. During high mobility periods when reliability is critical, measurements are performed frequently at the first periodicity. During low mobility periods, measurements are performed less frequently at the second periodicity, reducing energy consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable beam selection and conserving UE energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic beam measurements with two different periodicities. The system alternates between a first periodicity (shorter interval) for high mobility scenarios and a second periodicity (longer interval) for low mobility scenarios. This periodic action with variable intervals ensures measurements are performed frequently enough to maintain reliability when needed, while reducing energy consumption during stable conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If multiple beams are measured at the same periodicity as the serving beam, then beam switching speed is improved, but measurement overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam switching speedVSAvoidmeasurement overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines which beams to measure at the higher first periodicity based on mobility state and beam priorities. During high mobility, multiple candidate beams are measured at the first periodicity to enable fast switching. During low mobility, fewer beams are measured at this periodicity, reducing overhead. This dynamic beam selection and periodicity assignment resolves the contradiction between beam switching speed and measurement overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating measurement periodicities for different beams based on their importance and likelihood of being selected. The serving beam and high-priority candidate beams are measured at the first periodicity to enable fast switching, while lower-priority beams are measured at the second periodicity. This localized quality differentiation reduces overall measurement overhead while maintaining fast switching capability for critical beams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4378089B1Techniques for beam selection based on measurement periodicities
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4378089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4378089B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4378089B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described in which a user equipment (UE) may perform beam measurements for one or more subsets of beams that are selected to provide enhanced beam switch determinations. The UE may identify one or more prioritized beams, and may measure the prioritized beams at a same periodicity as measurements of a serving beam. The UE may, additionally or alternatively, identify a set of all layer one beams (e.g., maximum-level beams or top level beams) for measurement according to a periodic interval, based on a measured mobility being less than a threshold value. The periodic interval may provide that each layer one beam may be measured at a cadence of one beam per measurement occasion, in order to provide measurement diversity.