IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,634,712
Granted Patent B2
US 12,634,712 · App. 17/955,039 · Granted May 19, 2026

Apparatus and method for data communication based on intelligent reflecting surface in wireless communication system

Inventors: Seunghyun Lee (Gyeonggi-do, KR); Byonghyo Shim (Seoul, KR); Seungnyun Kim (Seoul, KR); Hyunsoo Kim (Seoul, KR); Yosub Park (Gyeonggi-do, KR)
Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd; Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
H04W16/28H04W56/001
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,634,712
App. No.
17/955,039
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a 5G or a 6th generation (6G) communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate after a 4th generation (4G) communication system such as LTE. An operating method of a BS in a wireless communication system includes broadcasting a power signal of an IRS, broadcasting an SSB, and requesting receive beam reporting from a control unit of the IRS.

Claims (45)

1 . A method performed by a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

broadcasting a power signal of an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS);

broadcasting a synchronization signal block (SSB);

transmitting, to a control unit of the IRS, a request for reporting a receive beam;

transmitting, to the IRS, an IRS reflecting element OFF mode switch signal;

receiving, from the user equipment (UE), a first sounding reference signal (SRS);

estimating a direct channel between the BS and the UE based on the first SRS;

transmitting, to the IRS, an IRS reflecting element ON mode switch signal;

transmitting, to the IRS, a beam tracking control signal for estimating an IRS channel;

receiving, from the UE, a second SRS; and

estimating angle information between the IRS and the UE based on the second SRS.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting an IRS control code word for initial access to the IRS.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising obtaining an angle of departure (AoD) between the BS and the IRS based on beam index information of the SSB.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising obtaining an angle of arrival (AoA) between the BS and the IRS based on index information of the receive beam.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

if the BS and the IRS are directly connected, directly receiving location information from the IRS; and

obtaining an angle of departure (AoD) θ and an angle of arrival (AoA) φ between the BS and the IRS based on the location information.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

estimating a combined channel based on the second SRS;

transmitting, to the IRS, a beam control signal for data communication; and

transmitting, to the UE, downlink data.

7 . A base station (BS), comprising:

at least one transceiver;

at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one transceiver; and

at least one memory, communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, storing instructions executable by the at least one processor individually or in any combination to cause the base station to:

broadcast a power signal of an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS),

broadcast a synchronization signal block (SSB),

transmit, to a control unit of the IRS, a request for reporting a receive beam,

transmit, to the IRS, an IRS reflecting element OFF mode switch signal,

receive, from the user equipment (UE), a first sounding reference signal (SRS),

estimate a direct channel between the BS and the UE based on the first SRS,

transmit, to the IRS, an IRS reflecting element ON mode switch signal,

transmit, to the IRS, a beam tracking control signal for estimating an IRS channel,

receive, from the UE, a second SRS, and

estimate angle information between the IRS and the UE based on the second SRS.

8 . The BS of claim 7 , wherein the instructions further cause the BS to transmit an IRS control code word for initial access to the IRS.

9 . The BS of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the BS to obtain an angle of departure (AoD) between the BS and the IRS based on beam index information of the SSB.

10 . The BS of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the BS to obtain an angle of arrival (AoA) between the BS and the IRS based on index information of the receive beam.

11 . The BS of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the BS to:

if the BS and the IRS are directly connected, directly receive location information from the IRS, and

obtain an angle of departure (AoD) θ and an angle of arrival (AoA) φ between the BS and the IRS based on the location information.

12 . The BS of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further cause the BS to:

estimate a combined channel based on the second SRS,

transmit, to the IRS, a beam control signal for data communication, and

transmit, to the UE, downlink data.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE OMISSION SECOND ASSIGNEE'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 061287 FRAME: 0331. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT . Recorded Oct 12, 2022
From: LEE, SEUNGHYUN; SHIM, BYONGHYO; KIM, SEUNGNYUN; KIM, HYUNSOO; PARK, YOSUB
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.; SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 061658/0413 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2022
From: LEE, SEUNGHYUN; SHIM, BYONGHYO; KIM, SEUNGNYUN; KIM, HYUNSOO; PARK, YOSUB
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 061287/0331 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2021-0128339 · Sep 28, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230097583A1 · Mar 30, 2023
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