Joint Fast Beam Search and Synchronization using Fast Switching Phased Array

This paper proposes a fast beam search scheme using fast switching phased array to reduce the beam search time. Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (Massive MIMO) can significantly enhance signal gain by beamforming to designated user equipment (UE). However, the beam search requires a number of beam candidates which incurs non-negligible latency and degrades beam tracking capability. This paper proposes two types of fast beam search schemes: 1) joint beam search and synchronization using existing synchronization signal block (SSB) and 2) the fast beam search scheme with discrete subcarrier configuration. Computer simulations verifies the effectiveness of our proposed approach that can determine the optimal beam while reducing the number of SSBs relative to the number of beams.