Channel state information with de-noising mechanism

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program are described, comprising: receiving configuration information related to a device of a wireless communication system; determining activation and distribution of a channel state information error handling module based at least in part on the received configuration information, and setting a channel state information handling mode of operation accordingly; providing an operation mode message defining a channel state information handling operation mode for use by the device; and receiving channel state information from the device according to the defined mode of operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to channel state information in wireless communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] This specification relates to channel state information in wireless communication systems. For example, an estimate of channel state information can be transmitted from a device (e.g., a user equipment) via a channel in a wireless communication system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect, this specification describes an apparatus (e.g., a network node of a wireless communication system) comprising: components for receiving (e.g., via a channel of a wireless or mobile communication system) configuration information related to a device of the wireless communication system, the configuration information including: the device's channel state information acquisition capability (e.g., whether low and / or high complexity modes are available), and channel state information processing operation modes supported by the device; components for determining the activation and distribution of one or more channel state information error handling modules based at least in part on the received configuration information, and setting the channel state information processing operation modes accordingly; components for providing an operation mode message defining the channel state information processing operation modes used by the device; and components for receiving channel state information (e.g., encoder channel state information) from the device according to the defined operation mode.

[0004] The channel state information processing operation mode may include at least one of the following: a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. The first mode may be an energy-saving mode. The second mode may be a medium-energy mode. The third mode may be a minimum support mode. The fourth mode may be a high-energy mode. The fifth mode may be a maximum support mode.

[0005] The channel state information error handling module may include an error detection module that identifies errors in codewords received from the device via the channel. The channel state information error handling module may include a first error correction module that corrects errors detected in codewords received from the device via the channel. The channel state information error handling module may include a second error correction module that corrects errors in codewords generated at the device caused by errors in channel estimation.

[0006] Some example embodiments also include: a component for receiving a suggested channel state information processing operation mode from the device, wherein the operation mode message includes: an indication of whether the suggested operation mode is accepted.

[0007] Some example embodiments also include: a component for rescheduling the transmission of channel state information from the device in the event that an error in the channel state information is identified.

[0008] Some example embodiments also include: a component for correcting the received channel state information in the event that an error in the channel state information is identified.

[0009] In a second aspect, this specification describes an apparatus (e.g., a user equipment of a mobile communication system) comprising: components for providing (e.g., via a channel of the wireless communication system) configuration information related to the apparatus to a network node of the wireless communication system, wherein the configuration information includes: the apparatus's channel state information acquisition capability and a channel state information processing operation mode supported by the apparatus; components for receiving an operation mode message from the network node; components for generating channel state information according to the channel state information processing operation mode defined by the operation mode message; and components for providing the generated channel state information (e.g., encoded channel state information) to the network node.

[0010] The device may also include: a component for providing the network node with a suggested channel state information processing operation mode, wherein the operation mode message includes: an indication of whether the suggested operation mode is accepted.

[0011] The channel state information processing operation mode may include at least one of the following: a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. The first mode may be an energy-saving mode. The second mode may be a medium-energy mode. The third mode may be a minimum support mode. The fourth mode may be a high-energy mode. The fifth mode may be a maximum support mode.

[0012] The device may further include components for activating and distributing one or more channel state information error handling modules, at least in part, based on the operation mode message. The channel state information error handling module may include an error detection module that identifies errors in codewords received from the device via the channel. The channel state information error handling module may include a first error correction module that corrects errors detected in codewords received from the device via the channel. The channel state information error handling module may include a second error correction module that corrects errors in codewords generated at the device caused by errors in channel estimation.

[0013] Some example embodiments also include: a component for rescheduling the transmission of channel state information from the device in the event that an error in the channel state information is identified.

[0014] Some example embodiments also include: a component for correcting the received channel state information in the event that an error in the channel state information is identified.

[0015] In a third aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: receiving (e.g., via a channel of a wireless communication system) configuration information relating to a device of the wireless communication system, the configuration information including: the device's channel state information acquisition capability, and channel state information processing operation modes supported by the device; determining, at least in part, the activation and distribution of one or more channel state information error handling modules based on the received configuration information, and setting the channel state information processing operation modes accordingly; providing an operation mode message defining the channel state information processing operation modes used by the device; and receiving channel state information from the device according to the defined operation modes.

[0016] The channel state information processing operation mode may include at least one of the following: a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. The first mode may be an energy-saving mode. The second mode may be a medium-energy mode. The third mode may be a minimum support mode. The fourth mode may be a high-energy mode. The fifth mode may be a maximum support mode.

[0017] Some example embodiments further include receiving a suggested channel state information processing operation mode from the device, wherein the operation mode message includes an indication of whether the suggested operation mode is accepted.

[0018] Some example embodiments also include: rescheduling the transmission of channel state information from the device when an error in the channel state information is identified.

[0019] Some example embodiments also include correcting the received channel state information if an error is identified in the channel state information.

[0020] In a fourth aspect, this specification describes a method comprising: providing (e.g., via a channel of a wireless communication system) configuration information relating to a device to a network node of a wireless communication system, wherein the configuration information includes: the device's channel state information acquisition capability and a channel state information processing operation mode supported by the device; receiving an operation mode message from the network node; generating channel state information according to the channel state information processing operation mode defined by the operation mode message; and providing the generated channel state information to the network node.

[0021] The method may further include: providing a proposed channel state information processing operation mode to a network node, wherein the operation mode message includes an indication of whether the proposed operation mode is accepted.

[0022] The method may further include: activating and distributing one or more channel state information error handling modules, at least in part based on the operation mode message.

[0023] Some example embodiments also include: rescheduling the transmission of channel state information from the device when an error in the channel state information is identified.

[0024] Some example embodiments also include correcting the received channel state information if an error is identified in the channel state information.

[0025] In the fifth aspect, this specification describes computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform at least any of the methods described herein (including the methods of the third or fourth aspects above).

[0026] In a sixth aspect, this specification describes a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) comprising program instructions stored thereon for (at least) performing any of the methods described herein (including the methods of the third or fourth aspects above).

[0027] In a seventh aspect, this specification describes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform at least any of the methods described herein (including the methods of the third or fourth aspects above).

[0028] In the eighth aspect, this specification describes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least any of the methods described herein (including the methods of the third or fourth aspects above).

[0029] In a ninth aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to: receive (e.g., via a channel of a wireless communication system) configuration information relating to a device of the wireless communication system, the configuration information including: the device's channel state information acquisition capability and channel state information processing operation modes supported by the device; determine, at least in part, the activation and distribution of a channel state information error handling module based on the received configuration information, and accordingly set the channel state information processing operation modes; provide an operation mode message defining a channel state information processing operation mode for use by the device; and receive channel state information from the device according to the defined operation mode.

[0030] In a tenth aspect, this specification describes a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to: provide (e.g., via a channel of a wireless communication system) configuration information relating to the device to a network node of a wireless communication system, wherein the configuration information includes: the device's channel state information acquisition capability and channel state information processing operation modes supported by the device; receive an operation mode message from the network node; generate channel state information according to the channel state information processing operation mode defined by the operation mode message; and provide the generated channel state information to the network node.

[0031] In the eleventh aspect, this specification describes: a receiver input (or some other component) for receiving (e.g., via a channel of a wireless communication system) configuration information related to a device of a wireless communication system, the configuration information including: the device's channel state information acquisition capability, and channel state information processing operation modes supported by the device; a processor (or some other component) for determining the activation and distribution of one or more channel state information error handling modules based at least in part on the received configuration information, and setting the channel state information processing operation modes accordingly; a mode controller (or some other component) for providing operation mode messages, the operation mode messages defining the channel state information processing operation modes used by the device; and a receiver input / the receiver input (or some other component) for receiving channel state information from the device according to the defined operation modes.

[0032] In its twelfth aspect, this specification describes an output (or other components) for providing (e.g., via a channel of a wireless communication system) device-related configuration information to a network node of a wireless communication system, wherein the configuration information includes: the device's channel state information acquisition capability and a channel state information processing operation mode supported by the device; an input (or other components) for receiving an operation mode message from the network node; a processor (or other components) for generating channel state information according to the channel state information processing operation mode defined by the operation mode message; and an output / the output (or other components) for providing the generated channel state information to the network node. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Example embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the following schematic diagrams, in which:

[0034] Figures 1 to 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a system according to an example embodiment;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm according to an example embodiment;

[0036] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This illustrates a message stream sequence according to an example embodiment of the algorithm;

[0037] Figure 9 and Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm according to an example embodiment;

[0038] Figure 11 These are schematic diagrams of components from one or more example embodiments described above; and

[0039] Figure 12 A tangible medium for storing computer-readable code is shown, which, when run by a computer, can perform methods according to the example embodiments described herein. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The scope of protection sought by the various embodiments of the present invention is defined by the independent claims. Embodiments and features (if any) described in the specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims should be interpreted as examples that help to understand the various embodiments of the invention.

[0041] In the description and accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals throughout the text refer to the same elements.

[0042] Figure 1This is a block diagram illustrating a system according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The system includes a device (such as a user equipment (UE)) 12, a channel 14, and a network node 16. The device 12 and the network node 16 communicate bidirectionally with each other via the channel 14.

[0043] In systems such as System 10, Channel State Information (CSI) can be needed for various purposes, such as accurate precoding in massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications with frequency division duplex (FDD) schemes. Accurate CSI can be used, for example, to enable base stations (BSs) to achieve higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and improve channel capacity. However, in many implementations of System 10 (such as FDD networks), only device 12 can estimate the downlink CSI. In such systems, the estimated CSI is typically shared with network node 16 via channel 14, which introduces overhead into the communication system.

[0044] To reduce this overhead, CSI can be compressed and / or quantized before transmission. For example, CSI data can be compressed (e.g., using vector quantization) to generate a codebook that achieves a high compression ratio (CR), i.e., the ratio of the compressed size to the uncompressed size. (The compression ratio can be a scalar in the range (0, 1], where a lower CR means more compression.) Alternatively or additionally, CSI data can be quantized, for example, such that device 12 communicates the quantized bits through channel 14, where network node 16 includes a dequantizer to generate a signal that the decoder can use to reconstruct the original channel state information estimate.

[0045] Schemes used to reduce transmission overhead (such as data compression and / or data quantization) typically limit the accuracy of CSI reconstruction.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a system according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 20. System 20 includes a channel estimator 22, an encoder 24, and a transmitter 26, which is an example implementation of the device 12 described above. The channel estimator 22 can be used to estimate downlink channel state information (CSI). An encoded version of the estimated CSI is transmitted (e.g., from device 12 to network node 16 via channel 14).

[0047] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a system according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 30. System 30 includes a receiver 32 and a decoder 34, which is an example implementation of the network node 16 described above. Receiver 32 can receive encoded CSI data as transmitted by system 20. Decoder 34 decodes the encoded and transmitted CSI to reconstruct the CSI as estimated by channel estimator 22.

[0048] Encoder 24 and decoder 34 can work together as an autoencoder (AE), where encoder 24 is used to generate a compressed representation of the input CSI and decoder 34 is used to reconstruct the CSI from the compressed information.

[0049] The encoder and decoder of an autoencoder-based CSI compression arrangement can be implemented using artificial intelligence or machine learning models. Such models can be trained in various ways, for example: • Joint training of a two-sided autoencoder model at a single-sided / single-entity level (e.g., at the UE / device side or the network side). This can be referred to as Type 1 training. • Joint training of the two-sided autoencoder models at the network side and the UE / device side respectively. This can be referred to as Type 2 training. • Separate training at the network side and the UE / device side, where the UE / device side CSI generation part and the network side CSI reconstruction part are trained by the UE / device side and the network side respectively. This can be referred to as Type 3 training.

[0050] Joint training allows the code generation model (encoder) and the reconstruction model (decoder) to be trained in the same loop for forward and backward propagation. Joint training can be implemented at a single node or across multiple nodes (e.g., through gradient exchange between nodes).

[0051] Individual training typically includes sequential training that starts from the UE side or sequential training that starts from the network side at the UE.

[0052] In system 20, the output of channel estimator 22 provides an imperfect channel estimate, represented by eCSI, as follows: ,

[0053] in This is an error term introduced by imperfect downlink channel estimation. Note that... This is usually the main source of errors in CSI feedback.

[0054] Then, eCSI is encoded into a bit vector C by encoder 24 (which can form part of the AIML autoencoder).

[0055] Code C is prepared by transmitter module 26 for transmission. For example, code C can be transmitted via the uplink control channel in a typical OFDM manner (e.g., the bits can be encoded using polar codes, modulated onto QAM symbols, and then modulated into an OFDM waveform).

[0056] The transmitted waveform (e.g., OFDM waveform) travels through a wireless propagation channel (e.g., channel 14) to receiver 32 of system 30. During transmission, the waveform is contaminated by noise and interference. At receiver 32, the signal can be OFDM received (using receiver 32), including decoding (using decoder 34), so that the estimated code... The quality of the estimation is generated, where it depends on the robustness of the wireless conditions and the transmission scheme: ,

[0057] here, This is an error at the input of decoder 34. In some example embodiments, due to the high error detection / correction probability of using conventional channel coding with CRC check, It could be a low-probability event. However, it depends on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal and the code length and code rate considered in traditional channel coding. It can be done more frequently. exist If the received code is available, and we manage to correct it, there is no need to schedule retransmissions, which reduces latency and saves resources.

[0058] The estimated code is decoded by decoder 34, and the reconstructed eCSI (by...) (This indicates that) is output. Therefore, ( It is an imperfect estimate of the actual CSI, and the imperfection is mainly due to two reasons: • Based on DL error This is due to imperfect downlink channel estimation in the UE, i.e., its first block generates eCSI. • Based on UL error This is due to imperfect uplink OFDM reception, which affects the code estimation in the gNB. An error was introduced above.

[0059] Imperfect Reconstruction It can be used to select a precoder, where the selection itself may become suboptimal, depending on... Ultimately, how inaccurate it is.

[0060] In order to provide an accurate CSI feedback architecture that is relatively unaffected by the severity of channel conditions (in both DL and UL), it is expected that network node 16 will reconstruct an accurate version of the CSI.

[0061] Figure 4This is a block diagram of a system according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 40. System 40 includes an encoder 42 and a decoder 44, which operate together as a self-encoder. The self-encoder of system 40 can be used as the encoder and decoder of the system described above.

[0062] The encoder and decoder can also implement a CSI denoising framework, where the denoising mechanism is: • It can be decoupled from the CSI compression task, and therefore does not affect the training or management of the CSI autoencoder; and • Designed to correct errors caused by both imperfect channel estimation and UL reception.

[0063] The CSI denoising framework may include the use of one or more of the following modules to coordinate the use of the UE and gNB: • Error detection block (code-EDB), which identifies the received codeword. Errors in the [system / process]. This error detection block is provided to address uplink errors. • Error Correction Block (code-ECB), which corrects the received codeword. Errors in the [system / process]. This error correction block is provided to address uplink errors. • CSI Error Correction Block (CSI-ECB) This CSI error correction block corrects errors introduced by imperfect DL channel estimation.

[0064] Error detection blocks (code-EDB) and error correction blocks (code-ECB) are provided for uplink errors. CSI error correction blocks are provided for downlink errors.

[0065] It should be noted that within the code-EDB block, the network can identify UL errors based on the code-EDB of the decoded CSI codeword, which, after cyclic redundancy check (CRC), i.e., does not have an erroneously decoded UCI payload. In one variant, if the CSI codeword is erroneous after applying the code-EDB, the gNB can reschedule the UL transmission. In another variant, if the CSI codeword is erroneous after applying the code-EDB, the gNB can consider the code-ECB to correct the decoded CSI codeword.

[0066] The code-EDB, code-ECB, and CSI-ECB blocks can be combined and integrated with the autoencoder architecture 40 in different ways. For example, one or more of these blocks can be distributed between device sides (e.g., as part of encoder 42), and one or more of these blocks can be distributed on the network side (e.g., as part of decoder 44). Alternatively, these blocks can be implemented entirely on the network side.

[0067] As part of lifecycle management (LCM), some or all of the code-EDB, code-ECB, and CSI-ECB blocks can be dynamically enabled / disabled by the network. The output of one or more of these blocks can be used as input to other blocks.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a system according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 50. In system 50, both error detection and correction modes are provided on the network side; as mentioned above, this is not necessary for all example embodiments.

[0069] The system includes a channel estimator 51, an encoder 52, an OFDM transmitter module 53, a wireless channel 54, an OFDM receiver module 55, a decoder 56, an error detection module 57, and an error correction module 58. System 50 illustrates one configuration of the error detection and correction modules. Alternative configurations are possible and can be selected and controlled according to the principles described herein, as discussed in detail below.

[0070] The channel estimator 51, encoder 52, and transmitter module 53 are similar to the channel estimator 22, encoder 24, and transmitter 26, and can form part of device 12 in the system 10 described above. The receiver module 55, decoder 56, error detection module 57, and error correction module 58 can form part of network node 16 in the system 10 described above.

[0071] OFDM receiver 55 implements components for receiving data transmitted by a device (e.g., device 12) of a wireless communication system through channel 54 of the wireless communication system. This data is encoded with a first estimate of channel state information of the wireless channel as determined at the device (i.e., as determined at channel estimator 51).

[0072] As described above with reference to system 20, the channel estimator 51 is an imperfect channel estimator that provides an imperfect channel estimate, denoted by eCSI, as follows: ,

[0073] in It is an error term introduced by imperfect downlink channel estimation.

[0074] Then, the eCSI is encoded into a bit vector C by encoder 52.

[0075] Code C is prepared for transmission by OFDM transmitter module 53. At OFDM receiver 45, the estimated code... The quality of the estimation is generated, where it depends on the robustness of the wireless conditions and the transmission scheme: ,

[0076] Estimated code The data is transmitted through decoder 56 (which, together with encoder 42, forms the decoder portion of the AIML autoencoder) to produce a reconstructed CSI estimate. Then, the It is sent to error correction module 58, which is designed to remove some or all uplink and downlink errors from the reconstructed code.

[0077] Reconstructed code It is also routed to error detection module 57, which detects errors in the reconstructed code and outputs a scalar. If ,but .

[0078] Error correction module 58 receives: • Reconstructed code output by OFDM receiver 55 ; • Reconstructed from the output of decoder 56 ;as well as • Detected errors output by error detection module 57 .

[0079] Error correction module 58 seeks to remove the CSI estimate from the refactoring ( The uplink and downlink errors discussed above are used to generate estimates that are closer to the true CSI. .

[0080] Therefore, decoder 56 decodes and generates a second estimate of the channel state information of the wireless channel. The error correction module, at least in part, bases its error correction on the first error indication ( The second estimate of the channel state information is modified to generate the channel state information output. The first error indication may indicate an error in the estimation of the first channel state information generated at the device (i.e., a downlink error). Alternatively or additionally, the first error indication may indicate an uplink error introduced in the data transmitted through the wireless connection between the device and the network node.

[0081] It should be noted that although the decoder 56, error detection module 57, and error correction module 58 are shown as three separate modules, two or more of those modules can be combined into a single module (e.g., combined into a single neural network). For example, error detection module 57 and error correction module 58 can be integrated. However, separating the modules may have advantages, especially since the training of the modules can then be more easily separated.

[0082] The error correction module 58 can be a neural network or a machine learning module, which can be trained to distinguish between the following: • DL channel estimation error (at channel estimation module 51); and • UL received an error.

[0083] Error detection module 57 (for generating the first error indication) can also be implemented using a neural network or machine learning module.

[0084] As discussed further below, depending on where the error correction and detection blocks are provided, the user equipment can be configured with different operating modes associated with CSI feedback. These may include: • First Mode. The first mode can be an energy-saving mode (EEM). In the first mode, the user equipment (e.g., using a channel estimator 51) can perform low-complexity DL channel estimation, for example, assuming high SNR conditions. The user equipment can perform simple interpolation / extrapolation to construct CSI at missing entries, for example, without attempting to estimate or utilize channel correlations in the time / frequency / spatial domains. • Second Mode. The second mode can be a medium-energy mode, such as Minimal Support Mode (mSM). In the second mode, the user equipment can implement more complex channel estimation (e.g., using a channel estimator 51), including SINR estimation and interference cancellation. The user equipment can use the estimated time-domain / frequency-domain / spatial-domain channel correlations to achieve CSI reconstruction. The user equipment can assist the network side (e.g., gNB) through CSI-ECB configuration; for example, the user equipment can transmit CSI quality metrics and CSI feedback. • Third Mode. The third mode can be a high-energy mode, such as Maximum Support Mode (MSM). In the third mode, the user equipment can implement some or all of the elements of the second mode (e.g., Minimum Support Mode (mSM) as described above) and additionally apply CSI-ECB before encoding.

[0085] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 60.

[0086] Algorithm 60 begins at operation 62, where configuration information is reported by the user equipment to the network node via a channel of the wireless communication system (e.g., channel 54). The configuration information includes information such as the device's channel state information acquisition capability and the channel state information processing operation modes supported by the device.

[0087] For example, channel state information acquisition capability can indicate whether a device can operate in a low-complexity mode and / or a high-complexity mode. In one example embodiment, a low-complexity mode is a mode without noise or interference cancellation and / or a mode in which the reference signal is linearly interpolated to reconstruct missing entries. In one example embodiment, a high-complexity mode is a mode with noise and interference cancellation and / or a mode in which Doppler and additional delay estimations are used to enhance reference signal interpolation to recover missing entries. Of course, these modes are provided by way of example only. Different modes may be provided (including different numbers of modes).

[0088] The processing operation modes supported by the device may include one or more of the first, second, and third modes described above (e.g., energy-saving mode; medium-energy or minimum support mode; and / or high-energy or maximum support mode). It should be noted that one or more of the operation modes may include a requirement for the UE to assist in network-side CSI error correction. The UE then feeds back the possible error level of the CSI estimate using CSI-compressed codewords. For example, the UE may indicate any CSI error level (e.g., an indication of low / medium / high error levels, or the standard deviation of the CSI estimate) so that the network can use such indications when applying the ML model.

[0089] At operation 64, the network (e.g., network 16) configures the system. For example, the network may determine the activation and distribution of the channel state information error handling module based at least in part on the configuration information received in operation 62. The channel state information processing operation mode is set accordingly. The channel state information processing operation mode may include at least one of the following: a first mode (e.g., energy-saving mode); a second mode (e.g., medium-energy mode or minimum support mode); and a third mode (e.g., high-energy mode or maximum support mode), as discussed above.

[0090] For example, the network can configure and combine blocks such as code-EDB, code-ECB, and CSI-ECB as described above. It should be noted that if the network can identify residual uplink errors based on the code-EDB of the decoded CSI codeword after CRC check (e.g., a UCI payload without errors), in one variant, the network can reschedule UL transmissions; and in another variant, the network can consider the code-ECB to correct the decoded CSI codeword.

[0091] At operation 66, the operation mode message is provided to the device by the network. This operation mode message defines the operation mode used by the device (as defined in operation 64).

[0092] At operation 68, channel state information (e.g., coded channel state information) is received from the device at the network according to the operating mode set in operation 66. It should be noted that if the code-ECB block is not activated, but the code-EDB block detects residual errors, the network may reconfigure the UL transmission and use a more robust MCS.

[0093] Once operation 68 is completed, the network can complete the algorithm by deactivating the UE operating mode.

[0094] Figure 7 The image shows a message flow sequence according to an example embodiment of the algorithm, generally indicated by reference numeral 70. Message flow sequence 70 illustrates messages transmitted between user equipment (UE) 71 and gNB 72, and actions taken at UE 71 and gNB 72. UE 71 and gNB 72 are example implementations of UE 12 and network node 16 described above. Message flow sequence 70 is an example implementation of algorithm 60 described above.

[0095] As shown in sequence 70, one or more messages 73 are sent from UE 71 to gNB 72. Message 73 includes a report indicating the CSI acquisition capabilities of UE 71 (e.g., whether the low-complexity mode and high-complexity mode discussed above are supported) and the operating modes supported by UE 71 (e.g., whether the first, second or third mode discussed above is supported).

[0096] At operation 74, gNB 72 distributes CSI processing blocks, such as the code-EDB, code-ECB, and CSI-ECB blocks described above. As discussed above, the CSI processing block may include one or more of the following: an error detection module that identifies errors in codewords received from the device via the channel; a first error correction module that corrects errors detected in codewords received from the device via the channel; and a second error correction module that corrects errors in codewords generated at the device caused by errors in channel estimation.

[0097] gNB 72 sends message 75 to UE 71, which defines the CSI processing operation mode to be implemented at the UE. This mode may include the first, second, or third mode discussed above.

[0098] The defined CSI processing operation mode is then implemented at UE 71 in operation 76. Operation 76 includes generating channel state information according to the defined operation mode.

[0099] At operation 77, the acquired (e.g., encoded) channel state information is communicated to gNB 72 according to the operating mode implemented in operation 76.

[0100] Upon completion of operation 77, the gNB sends message 78 to deactivate the selected UE operating mode.

[0101] Figure 8 The image shows a message flow sequence according to an example embodiment of the algorithm, generally indicated by reference numeral 80. Message flow sequence 80 shows messages transmitted between user equipment (UE) 81 and gNB 82 (similar to, or identical to, UE 71 and gNB 72 described above), and actions taken at UE 81 and gNB 82. Message flow sequence 70 is an alternative implementation of algorithm 60 described above.

[0102] As shown in sequence 80, one or more messages 83 are sent from UE 81 to gNB 82. Message 83 includes a report indicating the CSI acquisition capabilities of UE 81 (e.g., whether the low-complexity mode and high-complexity mode discussed above are supported) and the operating modes supported by UE 81 (e.g., whether the first, second, or third mode discussed above is supported). Messages 83 may be the same as messages 73 described above.

[0103] At operation 84, UE 81 sends message 84 to gNB, requesting that the EEM operating mode be used. (It should be noted that in some example embodiments, message 84 may include requests for different operating modes to be used, such as the minimum supported mode or the maximum supported mode discussed above.)

[0104] At operation 85, gNB 82 distributes CSI processing blocks, such as the code-EDB, code-ECB, and CSI-ECB blocks mentioned above.

[0105] gNB 82 sends message 86 to UE 81, which indicates whether the request included in message 84 is accepted, and / or indicates which CSI processing operation mode will be implemented at the UE. This mode may include the first, second, and third modes discussed above.

[0106] The defined CSI processing operation mode is then implemented at UE 81 in operation 87. Operation 87 includes generating channel state information according to the defined operation mode.

[0107] At operation 88, the acquired (e.g., encoded) channel state information is communicated to gNB 82 according to the operating mode implemented in operation 87.

[0108] Upon completion of operation 88, the gNB sends message 89 to deactivate the selected UE operating mode.

[0109] Therefore, in message sequence 80, the UE can be the party requesting the operating mode, where the gNB accepts and configures the mode, or conversely, rejects the mode. Low-complexity mode is sufficient for successful CSI feedback when the UE itself needs to temporarily switch to energy-saving mode, or when the UE is aware (e.g., from the current DL detection) that channel conditions are good (e.g., high SL SINR), and thus low-complexity mode is adequate.

[0110] As discussed above, example embodiments may include blocks for detecting and correcting errors in channel state information.

[0111] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 90. Algorithm 90 begins at operation 92, where an error in the channel state error is detected (e.g., using the code-EDB block discussed above). At operation 94 of algorithm 90, in response to the identification of the error, the error is corrected (or at least partially corrected). The error can be corrected using the code-ECB and / or CSI-ECB blocks described above.

[0112] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 100. Algorithm 100 begins at operation 102, where an error in the channel state is detected (e.g., using the code-EDB block discussed above). At operation 104 of algorithm 100, in response to the error identification, the transmission of channel state information from the device is rescheduled.

[0113] For the sake of completeness, Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of components of one or more exemplary embodiments described above, hereinafter collectively referred to as processing system 300. Processing system 300 may be, for example, the apparatus referenced in the following claims.

[0114] The processing system 300 may include a processor 302, a memory 304 tightly coupled to the processor and including RAM 314 and ROM 312, and (optionally) a user input 310 and a display 318. The processing system 300 may include one or more network / device interfaces 308 for connection to a network / device, such as a wired or wireless modem. The network / device interface 308 may also operate as a connection to other devices, such as devices that are not network-side devices. Therefore, direct connections between devices / devices without network involvement are possible.

[0115] The processor 302 is connected to each of the other components in order to control their operation.

[0116] Memory 304 may include non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The ROM 312 of memory 304 stores the operating system 315, and may also store software applications 316. The RAM 314 of memory 304 is used by the processor 302 for temporary data storage. The operating system 315 may contain code that, when executed by the processor, implements aspects of the aforementioned algorithms and sequences 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100. It should be noted that in the case of small devices, memory may be more suitable for small-size applications; that is, hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) are not always used.

[0117] The processor 302 can take any suitable form. For example, it can be a microcontroller, multiple microcontrollers, a processor, or multiple processors.

[0118] The processing system 300 can be a standalone computer, server, console, or its network. The processing system 300 and the necessary structural components can all be internal to a device (such as an IoT device), i.e., embedded in a very small size.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the processing system 300 may also be associated with external software applications. These may be applications stored on a remote server device / device and may run partially or entirely on that remote server device / device. These applications may be referred to as cloud-hosted applications. The processing system 300 may communicate with the remote server device / device to utilize the software applications stored thereon.

[0120] Figure 12A tangible medium is illustrated in the form of a removable memory unit 365 that stores computer-readable code, which, when executed by a computer, can perform the methods according to the example embodiments described above. The removable memory unit 365 may be a memory stick (e.g., a USB memory stick) having internal memory 366 storing computer-readable code. Internal memory 366 may be accessed by a computer system via connector 367. Of course, other forms of tangible storage media may be used, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The tangible medium may be any device / apparatus capable of storing data / information that can be exchanged between devices / apparatus / networks.

[0121] Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. The software, application logic, and / or hardware can reside on memory or any computer medium. In example embodiments, the application logic, software, or instruction set is maintained on any of a variety of conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this application, "memory" or "computer-readable medium" can be any non-transitory medium or component that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit instructions for use by or connection to an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer).

[0122] In the relevant context, references to “computer-readable medium,” “computer program product,” “computer program tangibly embodied,” or “processor” or “processing circuit system” should be understood to encompass not only computers with different architectures (such as single-processor / multi-processor architectures and sequencer / parallel architectures) but also special-purpose circuits, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices / apparatus, and other devices / apparatus. References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc., should be understood to refer to software used in programmable processor firmware, such as programmable content (e.g., instructions for a processor) in hardware devices / apparatus, or configuration or configuration settings for fixed-function devices / apparatus, gate arrays, programmable logic devices / apparatus, etc.

[0123] If necessary, the different functions discussed herein can be executed in different orders and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if necessary, one or more of the functions described above can be optional or can be combined. Similarly, it should be understood that... Figures 6 to 10 The flowcharts and sequences are for illustrative purposes only, and the various operations depicted therein may be omitted, reordered, and / or combined.

[0124] It should be understood that the above-described exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading this specification.

[0125] Furthermore, this disclosure in this application should be understood to include any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein (explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, and new claims may be drafted during the examination of this application or any application derived therefrom to cover any such feature and / or combination of such features.

[0126] Although various aspects of the invention have been set forth in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention include other combinations of features from the described exemplary embodiments and / or dependent claims with features of the independent claims, and not only combinations explicitly set forth in the claims.

[0127] It should also be noted in this document that while various examples have been described above, these descriptions should not be considered limiting. Rather, several variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving configuration information related to a device in a wireless communication system, the configuration information including: the device's channel state information acquisition capability, and the channel state information processing operation mode supported by the device; A component for determining the activation and distribution of one or more channel state information error handling modules based at least in part on the received configuration information, and setting the channel state information processing operation mode accordingly; A component for providing an operation mode message, the operation mode message defining an operation mode for channel state information processing used by the device; and A component for receiving channel state information from the device according to the defined operating mode.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the channel state information processing operation mode includes at least one of the following: First mode or energy-saving mode; Second mode or intermediate energy mode; as well as The third mode or high-energy mode.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the channel state information error processing module comprises at least one of the following: An error detection module that identifies errors in codewords received from the device via the channel; A first error correction module, which corrects errors detected in the codewords received from the device via the channel; as well as A second error correction module corrects errors in the codewords generated at the device caused by errors in channel estimation.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: A component for receiving a suggested channel state information processing operation mode from the device, wherein the operation mode message includes an indication of whether the suggested operation mode is accepted.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises: A component for rescheduling the transmission of channel state information from the device when an error is identified in the channel state information.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises: A component for correcting the received channel state information when an error is identified in the channel state information.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is a network node of the wireless communication system.

8. An apparatus comprising: A component for providing network nodes of a wireless communication system with configuration information related to the device, wherein the configuration information includes: the device's channel state information acquisition capability, and the channel state information processing operation mode supported by the device; A component for receiving operation mode messages from the network node; A component for generating channel state information based on the channel state information processing mode defined by the operation mode message; and A component used to provide the generated channel state information to the network nodes.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising: A component for providing the network node with a proposed channel state information processing operation mode, wherein the operation mode message includes an indication of whether the proposed operation mode is accepted.

10. The device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the channel state information processing operation mode includes at least one of the following: First mode or energy-saving mode; Second mode or intermediate energy mode; and The third mode or high-energy mode.

11. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: A component for activating and distributing one or more channel state information error handling modules, at least in part, based on the operation mode message.

12. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the device is a user equipment of the mobile communication system.

13. A method comprising: Receive configuration information related to the device of the wireless communication system, the configuration information including: the device's channel state information acquisition capability, and the channel state information processing operation mode supported by the device; The activation and distribution of one or more channel state information error handling modules are determined at least in part based on the received configuration information, and the channel state information processing operation mode is set accordingly. Provide an operation mode message, the operation mode message defining an operation mode for channel state information processing used by the device; and The channel state information from the device is received according to the defined operating mode.

14. A method comprising: Provide network nodes of the wireless communication system with configuration information related to the device, wherein the configuration information includes: the device's channel state information acquisition capability, and the channel state information processing operation mode supported by the device; Receive operation mode messages from the network node; Channel state information is generated based on the channel state information processing operation mode defined by the operation mode message; and The generated channel state information is provided to the network node.

15. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to: Receive configuration information related to the device in the wireless communication system, the configuration information including: The device's ability to acquire channel state information, and the channel state information processing operation modes supported by the device; The activation and distribution of one or more channel state information error handling modules are determined at least in part based on the received configuration information, and the channel state information processing operation mode is set accordingly. Provide an operation mode message, the operation mode message defining an operation mode for channel state information processing used by the device; as well as The channel state information from the device is received according to the defined operating mode.

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