Dynamically disabling beamforming capabilities
Systems and methods are provided for dynamically disabling beamforming for particular user devices. At a node that utilizes carrier aggregation, a node, such as an eNodeB or a gNodeB, communicates with a user device that is located at a cell edge, the communicating comprising transmitting data on at least two channels that utilize beamforming. Performance of the user device is determined to be below a predetermined threshold. When this occurs, beamforming capabilities are disabled for at least one of the at least two channels used to communicate with the user device.
1. A method for dynamically disabling beamforming for particular user devices, the method comprising:
determining that a noise level at a node that serves one or more user devices is above a predetermined threshold, wherein the node utilizes beamforming for communicating with the one or more user devices;
selecting at least one user device of the one or more user devices for which to disable beamforming capabilities based on the at least one user device being located at a cell edge of the node; and
disabling beamforming for the at least one user device while maintaining beamforming for the one or more user devices not located at the cell edge of the node.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one user device is further selected based on the at least one user device transmitting at high power.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the noise level being above the predetermined threshold is caused, at least, by the at least one user device transmitting at high power.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the noise level being above the predetermined threshold is caused, at least, by the at least one user device experiencing poor radio frequency conditions.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one user device is capable of communicating using both 5G and 4G.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that the noise level at the node is above a second predetermined threshold, the second predetermined threshold being higher than the predetermined threshold; and
disabling beamforming for all user devices that are located at the cell edge of the node.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one user device is handed over to a neighboring node.
8. A system for dynamically disabling beamforming for particular user devices, the system comprising:
one or more network components configured to perform a method comprising:
determining that a noise level at a node that serves one or more user devices is above a predetermined threshold, wherein the node utilizes beamforming for communicating with the one or more user devices;
selecting at least one user device of the one or more user devices for which to disable beamforming capabilities based on the at least one user device being located at a cell edge of the node and the at least one user device transmitting at high power; and
disabling beamforming for the at least one user device while maintaining beamforming for the one or more user devices that are not located at the cell edge and are not transmitting at high power.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one user device is handed over to a neighboring node.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the noise level being above the predetermined threshold is caused, at least, by the at least one user device transmitting at high power.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the noise level being above the predetermined threshold is caused, at least, by the at least one user device experiencing poor radio frequency conditions.
12. The system, of claim 8 , wherein the at least one user device is capable of communicating using both 5G and 4G.
13. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:
determining that the noise level at the node is above a second predetermined threshold, the second predetermined threshold being higher than the predetermined threshold; and
disabling beamforming for all user devices that are located at the cell edge of the node.
14. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method for dynamically disabling beamforming for particular user devices, the method comprising:
determining that a noise level at a node that serves one or more user devices is above a predetermined threshold, wherein the node utilizes beamforming for communicating with the one or more user devices;
selecting at least one user device of the one or more user devices for which to disable beamforming capabilities based on the at least one user device being located at a cell edge of the node; and
disabling beamforming for the at least one user device while maintaining beamforming for the one or more user devices not located at the cell edge of the node.
15. The media of claim 14 , wherein the at least one user device is further selected based on the at least one user device transmitting at high power.
16. The media of claim 15 , wherein the noise level being above the predetermined threshold is caused, at least, by the at least one user device transmitting at high power.
17. The media of claim 16 , wherein the noise level being above the predetermined threshold is caused, at least, by the at least one user device experiencing poor radio frequency conditions.
18. The media of claim 14 , wherein the at least one user device is capable of communicating using both 5G and 4G.
19. The media of claim 18 , wherein the at least one user device that is capable of communicating using both 5G and 4G is a device that supports dual connectivity with new radio (DCNR).
20. The media of claim 14 , further comprising:
determining that the noise level at the node is above a second predetermined threshold, the second predetermined threshold being higher than the predetermined threshold; and
disabling beamforming for all user devices that are located at the cell edge of the node and are transmitting at high power.