US20260100793
2026-04-09
Electricity
H04L5/005
The patent application discusses a method for managing uplink beams in wireless devices that utilize multiple antenna panels. This approach enables simultaneous transmission or reception from these panels, enhancing communication efficiency. The method involves a wireless device indicating its capability to a network, receiving a configuration for uplink reference signals (UL RS), and then transmitting these signals using different panels as per the configuration.
The technique is particularly relevant in high-frequency communication, such as the FR2 range in 3GPP NR, where multiple radio-frequency beams are employed. In scenarios with multiple transmission points or distributed MIMO systems, traditional downlink beam management can be cumbersome due to overhead. Uplink beam management, especially with sounding reference signals, offers a more efficient alternative, particularly when user equipment (UE) has multiple panels for omni-directional coverage.
Current uplink beam management procedures lack precision, making it difficult for networks to determine which beams can be used for simultaneous transmission or reception. This limitation affects the ability to schedule UEs effectively. The proposed method addresses these challenges by allowing networks to identify suitable beam pair links without excessive overhead, even in complex multi-panel or multi-TRP scenarios.
The invention outlines both a method for wireless devices and a corresponding method for network nodes. For wireless devices, the method involves indicating panel capabilities, receiving UL RS configurations, and transmitting signals accordingly. Network nodes, such as base stations, receive these indications, transmit the appropriate configurations, and receive the UL RSs, facilitating efficient beam management.
The primary goals include optimizing beam use for simultaneous transmission and reception, leveraging multi-panel capabilities, and improving communication performance. Additionally, the method aims to support machine learning-based beam prediction by providing comprehensive data for training and decision-making. These advancements align with the ongoing evolution of 3GPP NR standards and the future development of 6G technologies.