SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING BEAM FAILURE RECOVERY IN HIGH-FREQUENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS USING RIS

Smart overview of the Invention

The patent application describes a method for managing beam failure recovery in high-frequency communication systems using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). The process begins with detecting a beam failure between a transmitter and receiver. Upon detection, the system identifies an RIS to transmit reference signals, receives feedback, and generates a candidate beam list. This list is then sent to the receiver as part of a beam failure recovery configuration via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

Background

With the advent of 5G systems, operating in millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies has become essential for achieving higher data rates. However, these high frequencies are prone to beam failures due to increased path loss and penetration issues. Beam failures occur when the reference signal received power (RSRP) drops below a network-defined threshold. These failures are exacerbated by narrow beam widths, which can easily be misaligned or blocked by small objects, leading to high latency and failure rates in beam failure recovery (BFR) processes.

Challenges

Current BFR procedures, as defined by 3GPP standards, involve providing user equipment (UE) with a list of alternative beams to measure and switch to. However, the process can be inefficient due to the large size of candidate beam lists required for high-frequency operations. Searching through extensive lists increases latency, and the risk of beam blockage further complicates recovery, potentially leading to failures if a suitable beam is not found in time.

Solution

The proposed method leverages RIS technology to mitigate these challenges by dynamically managing beam failure recovery. Once a beam failure is detected, the system identifies RIS to transmit reference signals, which provide feedback for generating a prioritized candidate beam list. This list is then communicated to the receiver, enabling efficient selection of alternative beams with reduced latency and improved accuracy.

Implementation

The system's architecture includes a transmitter and a receiver, each equipped with processors to handle beam failure detection and recovery configurations. The transmitter identifies RIS for reference signal transmission and compiles a candidate beam list based on feedback. The receiver uses this list to compare RSRP drops with a priority threshold, selecting the best available candidate beam for continued data transmission. This approach ensures a streamlined BFR process, enhancing the reliability of high-frequency communication systems.