Access Node Beam Control via Multi-Timepoint Channel Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately estimating channel state information due to the assumption that the channel remains unchanged during the configured SRS period, leading to large channel estimation errors and performance losses, especially in scenarios with mobile users.
Innovation Solution
An access network node determines first spatial domain information based on second spatial domain information from uplink signals received at multiple time points, performing data dimension reduction and calculating beamforming weights to maximize SINR and adapt to mobility levels, enabling improved beam control for both single-user and multi-user MIMO scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the channel is regarded as unchanged during the whole configured SRS period, then the system complexity is reduced, but the channel estimation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static channel assumption to a dynamic channel model. The system now adapts to channel changes by using multiple SRS resources across different time points to track channel variations, particularly for mobile users. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain accurate channel estimation while managing complexity through structured adaptation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by performing channel estimation at multiple time points before the actual data transmission. The system collects SRS signals across several SRS periods and uses this preliminary channel information to predict and compensate for channel changes, thereby improving estimation accuracy without requiring real-time complex processing during data transmission.
2Measurement precision
If channel changes are accounted for using multiple SRS resources at different time points, then the channel estimation accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the channel estimation process into distinct phases corresponding to different SRS periods. Each SRS resource is associated with a specific time period, and the system processes channel information from each period separately before combining them. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by breaking down the complex multi-timepoint estimation into manageable sequential steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by selectively applying complex multi-timepoint channel estimation only when necessary (e.g., for mobile users or when channel coherence is low). For stationary users or stable channel conditions, the system can use simpler estimation methods, thereby achieving improved accuracy where needed while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other scenarios.
3Ease of manufacture
If previous estimated SRS channel information is used in downlink modules until the next estimation arrives, then the implementation simplicity is maintained, but the performance loss increases due to large channel estimation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously updating channel estimates using SRS signals received at multiple time points. The system feeds back channel state information from uplink SRS measurements to adjust downlink beamforming and resource allocation. This feedback mechanism ensures that channel information remains current and accurate, improving performance reliability while maintaining implementation simplicity through existing feedback infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by leveraging uplink SRS transmissions to automatically obtain channel state information for downlink optimization. The terminal device transmits SRS signals that the access network node uses to estimate channel conditions, and this same information serves both uplink scheduling and downlink beamforming purposes, eliminating the need for separate downlink channel sounding and reducing implementation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an access network node are disclosed for beam control. According to an embodiment, the access network node determines first spatial domain information of a channel between a first terminal device and the access network node, based on second spatial domain information of the channel estimated by uplink signals received previously from the first terminal device at multiple time points. The access network node determines beamforming weights for the first terminal device based on the first spatial domain information.