Beam Switching in mmWave Cellular Networks: A Measurement-Based Study

It is well-established that mobility is a prominent challenge for beam-based communication. Despite the beam management functions specified by 3GPP to facilitate beam-based communication, its reliability under beam-level mobility remains questionable. Hence, this paper highlights the challenges impeding the reliability of beam-based communication under user mobility and poor propagation conditions. Specifically, this paper investigates beam-switching in mmWave networks and assesses the merits of beam-switching optimization through parametrization. Several parameters, including a Hysteresis margin and a Time-To-Trigger, are investigated with regards to enhancing beam switching. To carry-out the analysis, real beamformed mmWave data is used. The results report key beam switching performance measures and show a critical beam switching optimization trade-off.