Patent Application
20250211299
A high-level overview of various aspects of the present technology is provided in this section to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description section of this disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In aspects set forth herein, systems and methods are provided for adaptive beamforming. More particularly, in aspects set forth herein, systems and methods are provided for selecting and dynamically adjusting beamforming techniques offered to and applied to devices based on a type of the device. Specifically, a device that is determined to be stationary can utilize a different beamforming technique than a device that is determined to be mobile (i.e., not stationary). Based on the determinations of whether a device is stationary or mobile, a specific beamforming technique can be offered to that device. Further, devices that are located in a same location in the service area (e.g., both devices are located at cell edge, both are near cell, etc.) can utilize different beamforming techniques such that multiple beamforming techniques are employed in the same location.
Implementations of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.
Throughout this disclosure, several acronyms and shorthand notations are employed to aid the understanding of certain concepts pertaining to the associated system and services. These acronyms and shorthand notations are intended to help provide an easy methodology of communicating the ideas expressed herein and are not meant to limit the scope of embodiments described in the present disclosure. The following is a list of these acronyms:
Further, various technical terms are used throughout this description. An illustrative resource that fleshes out various aspects of these terms can be found in Newton's Telecom Dictionary, 32d Edition (2022).
As used herein, the term “node” is used to refer to network access technology for the provision of wireless telecommunication services from a base station to one or more electronic devices, such as an eNodeB, gNodeB, etc.
Embodiments of the present technology may be embodied as, among other things, a method, system, or computer-program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take the form of a hardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. An embodiment takes the form of a computer-program product that includes computer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readable media.
Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and nonremovable media, and contemplate media readable by a database, a switch, and various other network devices. Network switches, routers, and related components are conventional in nature, as are means of communicating with the same. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media comprise computer-storage media and communications media.
Computer-storage media, or machine-readable media, include media implemented in any method or technology for storing information. Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data representations. Computer-storage media include, but are not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magnetic storage devices. These memory components can store data momentarily, temporarily, or permanently.
Communications media typically store computer-useable instructions-including data structures and program modules—in a modulated data signal. The term “modulated data signal” refers to a propagated signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed to encode information in the signal. Communications media include any information-delivery media. By way of example but not limitation, communications media include wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, infrared, radio, microwave, spread-spectrum, and other wireless media technologies. Combinations of the above are included within the scope of computer-readable media.
By way of background, a traditional telecommunications network employs a plurality of base stations (i.e., cell sites, cell towers) to provide network coverage. The base stations are employed to broadcast and transmit transmissions to user devices of the telecommunications network. An access point may be considered to be a portion of a base station that may comprise an antenna, a radio, and/or a controller.
As employed herein, a UE (also referenced herein as a user device) can include any device employed by an end-user to communicate with a wireless telecommunications network. A UE can include a mobile device, a mobile broadband adapter, or any other communications device employed to communicate with the wireless telecommunications network. A UE, as one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate, generally includes one or more antenna coupled to a radio for exchanging (e.g., transmitting and receiving) transmissions with a nearby base station.
The present disclosure is directed to adaptive beamforming. Specifically, systems and methods for selecting and dynamically adjusting beamforming techniques offered to and applied to one or more devices based on a type of the device are described. In particular, a device that is determined to be stationary can utilize a different beamforming technique than a device that is determined to be mobile (i.e., not stationary). Based on the determinations of whether a device is stationary or mobile, a specific beamforming technique can be offered to that device. Further, devices that are located in a same location in the service area (e.g., both devices are located at cell edge, both are near cell, etc.) can utilize different beamforming techniques such that multiple beamforming techniques are employed in the same location.
Accordingly, a first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for adaptive beamforming. The system comprises one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media storing computer-usable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a device-type identifier for each of a first device and a second device, wherein a first device-type identifier for the first device is different from a second device-type identifier for the second device; based on the first device-type identifier, identify a first beamforming technique to utilize for the first device; and based on the second device-type identifier, identify a second beamforming technique to utilize for the second device, wherein the second beamforming technique is different from the first beamforming technique.
A second aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for adaptive beamforming. The method comprises receiving a device-type identifier for each of a first device and a second device, wherein a first device-type identifier for the first device is different from a second device-type identifier for the second device; based on the first device-type identifier, identifying a first beamforming technique to utilize for the first device; and based on the second device-type identifier, identifying a second beamforming technique to utilize for the second device, wherein the second beamforming technique is different from the first beamforming technique.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for adaptive beamforming. The system comprises one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media storing computer-usable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a first device-type identifier for a first device, wherein the first device-type identifier indicates the first device is a mobile device; based on the first device-type identifier, selecting a first beamforming technique to broadcast to the first device; identify that the first device has remained on a first beam for a predetermined period of time; determine that the first device is stationary based on its presence on the first beam greater than the predetermined period of time; and dynamically adjust a set of beamforming techniques offered to the first device to include both the first beamforming technique and a second beamforming technique.
As mentioned, the present disclosure describes adaptive beamforming including the selection of and switching between various beamforming techniques. Several beamforming techniques exist. For example, in near cell RF conditions, several beamforming techniques exist based on channel state information (CSI) feedback. The CSI feedback can include channel quality indicators (CQI). There are currently three main methods of beamforming: minimum mean squared error (MMSE), zero forcing (ZF), and Eigen Based Beamforming (EBB). Each method has different CSI requirements. For instance, MMSE can work in imperfect CSI conditions (e.g., such as when UEs are mobile/moving) while EBB can be used with perfect CSI conditions (e.g., when UEs are stationary, such as fixed wireless access (FWA) devices). Using the same method for both types of devices (e.g., stationary and mobile) is not optimal yet that is what is implemented today. In other words, a mobile phone and a FWA device are treated the same today and offered the same beamforming methods despite the different device types acting differently and reporting different CSI feedback. Today, all near cell devices receive the same beamforming method and all cell edge devices receive the same beamforming method, despite the fact that mobile/moving near cell devices have much different requirements that stationary near cell devices. Thus, there is a need to distinguish between the two devices and provide appropriate beamforms to each.
The present solution seeks to utilize CSI feedback quality to select an appropriate beamforming technique. Specifically, when devices are identified as being stationary, the EBB technique can be selected. When a device is identified as being mobile, the MMSE technique can be selected. A device can be identified as mobile when movement above a predetermined threshold is detected (e.g., movement above a predetermined speed such as, for example, 5 km/hr). CSI feedback may also include channel variants that are caused by movement, such that an inference can be made as to whether or not the device is stationary.
A device can also be identified as mobile or stationary based on a device-type identifier. A device-type identifier can include various information about the device such as a make and model number, software version, or other device-specific information that would identify it as a FWA device or mobile device. This information is routinely received by the gNodeB upon attachment to the network such that the information is readily accessible for adaptive beamforming. In aspects, this information is received by the gNodeB upon attachment via an APN or network slicing information. Network slice information can include Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) including a Slice/Service type (SST) field and a Service Differentiator (SD) field. This information can identify a specific slide on which the UE attaches and can indicate a type of device. For example, a UE may attach to Slice 1 while a FWA device may attach to a different network slice.
Additionally, the network can determine if a device is stationary or mobile based on its attachment to a specific beam for a predetermined period of time. In aspects, the gNodeB transmits beams (e.g., 12 beams) to UEs and a UE attaches to the beam that is best for that particular UE. When a UE selects a single beam (e.g., beam 1) and stays attached to that beam for a period of time greater than a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 minutes), it can be determined that the device is stationary. That said, stationary does not equal a FWA device. A mobile device that is capable of movement can still be determined to be stationary at specific points in time (e.g., no motion/speed is associated with the device above a predetermined speed threshold, the device has been attached to a specific beam for a predetermined period of time, and the like).
Once a determination is made regarding stationary versus mobile, the network can intelligently select or adjust the beamforming methods offered to devices. As noted above, stationary devices may be offered a first set of beamforming methods including EBB while mobile devices may be offered a second set of beamforming methods including MMSE. Furthermore, upon detection of a change in status (e.g., a device goes from stationary (sitting at home) to mobile (driving to a soccer game)), the network can intelligently switch the beamforming methods offered to the device. In embodiments, the beamforming method that is no longer needed is removed from the available sets of beamforming methods. In other embodiments, the beamforming method that is no longer needed is still offered to the device in addition to the updated beamforming method determined to be needed based on the change in status.
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A network cell may comprise a base station to facilitate wireless communication between a communications device within the network cell, such as communications device 500 described with respect to
The UEs may utilize a network to communicate with other computing devices (e.g., mobile device(s), a server(s), a personal computer(s), etc.). In embodiments, the network is a telecommunications network, or a portion thereof. A telecommunications network might include an array of devices or components, some of which are not shown so as to not obscure more relevant aspects of the invention. Components such as terminals, links, and nodes (as well as other components) may provide connectivity in some embodiments. The network may include multiple networks. The network may be part of a telecommunications network that connects subscribers to their immediate service provider. In embodiments, the network is associated with a telecommunications provider that provides services to user devices, such as UE 204 and UE 206. For example, the network may provide voice services to user devices or corresponding users that are registered or subscribed to utilize the services provided by a telecommunications provider.
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While not specifically illustrated in
In addition to utilizing movement to select and switch beamforming methods, the present disclosure can switch beamforming methods based on CSI feedback alone. For instance, if CSI feedback were perfect (e.g., all channel properties of a communication link are known) such that the EBB method were employed but a change in the CSI feedback occurs such that there is degradation in the CQI, the network can intelligently switch between beamforming methods to offer a method that performs well in less than perfect conditions, given the change in the CQI. Thus, a change in motion can be utilized to switch beamforming methods, but is not required. The change in methods can also occur based on a change in CSI feedback indicating degradation in the network conditions (e.g., CQI).
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The implementations of the present disclosure may be described in the general context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including computer-executable instructions such as program components, being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal data assistant or other handheld device. Generally, program components, including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, refer to code that performs particular tasks or implements particular abstract data types. Implementations of the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including handheld devices, consumer electronics, general-purpose computers, specialty computing devices, etc. Implementations of the present disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network.
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Memory 512 may take the form of memory components described herein. Thus, further elaboration will not be provided here, but it should be noted that memory 512 may include any type of tangible medium that is capable of storing information, such as a database. A database may be any collection of records, data, and/or information. In one embodiment, memory 512 may include a set of embodied computer-executable instructions that, when executed, facilitate various functions or elements disclosed herein. These embodied instructions will variously be referred to as “instructions” or an “application” for short.
Processor 514 may actually be multiple processors that receive instructions and process them accordingly. Presentation component 516 may include a display, a speaker, and/or other components that may present information (e.g., a display, a screen, a lamp (LED), a graphical user interface (GUI), and/or even lighted keyboards) through visual, auditory, and/or other tactile cues.
Radio 524 represents a radio that facilitates communication with a wireless telecommunications network. Illustrative wireless telecommunications technologies include CDMA, GPRS, TDMA, GSM, and the like. Radio 524 might additionally or alternatively facilitate other types of wireless communications including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, 3G, 4G, LTE, mMIMO/5G, NR, VOLTE, or other VOIP communications. As can be appreciated, in various embodiments, radio 524 can be configured to support multiple technologies and/or multiple radios can be utilized to support multiple technologies. A wireless telecommunications network might include an array of devices, which are not shown so as to not obscure more relevant aspects of the invention. Components such as a base station, a communications tower, or even access points (as well as other components) can provide wireless connectivity in some embodiments.
The input/output (I/O) ports 518 may take a variety of forms. Exemplary I/O ports may include a USB jack, a stereo jack, an infrared port, a firewire port, other proprietary communications ports, and the like. Input/output (I/O) components 520 may comprise keyboards, microphones, speakers, touchscreens, and/or any other item usable to directly or indirectly input data into the computing device 500.
Power supply 522 may include batteries, fuel cells, and/or any other component that may act as a power source to supply power to the computing device 500 or to other network components, including through one or more electrical connections or couplings. Power supply 522 may be configured to selectively supply power to different components independently and/or concurrently.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of our technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
