Reference Signal Pattern Adaptation for Long-Term Phase Noise

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The increase in carrier frequencies in next-generation wireless communication systems exacerbates phase noise, requiring a large number of reference signals for accurate estimation, which limits data rates and varies significantly based on hardware pairs, necessitating a more efficient method to estimate long-term phase noise characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the flexible use of multiple reference signal patterns with varying parameters in data packets allows for the estimation of long-term phase noise characteristics without re-initializing the transmission, using signaling to adapt patterns based on actual end-to-end distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of reference signals is increased to estimate long-term phase noise characteristics accurately, then phase noise correction is improved, but data rate is reduced due to limited available resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase noise estimation accuracyVSAvoiddata rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference signal estimation process into two distinct parts: short-term phase noise estimation using densely spaced reference signals within a packet, and long-term phase noise characteristic estimation using sparsely spaced reference signals across multiple packets. This segmentation allows each estimation type to use an optimized reference signal density, improving overall efficiency while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adapts the reference signal pattern selection based on determined long-term phase noise characteristics. The system switches between different reference signal patterns (first pattern with higher density, second pattern with lower density) depending on the measured characteristics, optimizing the balance between estimation accuracy and data rate in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If reference signal patterns are adapted for each hardware pair to account for varying phase noise characteristics, then phase noise correction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase noise correction accuracyVSAvoidreference signal management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of reference signal patterns (spacing, density, positioning) based on determined long-term phase noise characteristics. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system adapts to different hardware pairs without requiring completely separate estimation procedures for each device combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically determining long-term phase noise characteristics from received packets and autonomously selecting appropriate reference signal patterns without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual configuration and simplifies deployment across different hardware pairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple reference signal patterns are used to capture long-term phase noise characteristics, then estimation accuracy is improved, but the number of required reference signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term characteristic estimation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of reference signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using reference signals at reduced density for long-term characteristic estimation compared to short-term estimation. The sparsely spaced reference signals in the second pattern provide sufficient information for capturing long-term characteristics without the excessive number of signals that would be required for short-term estimation, optimizing the quantity-used ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4712391A1Flexible use of reference signal patterns in a radiofrequency communication
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC R&D CENTRE EUROPE BV
  • EP4712391A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4712391A1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4712391A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method, implemented by a sender node of a radiofrequency wireless communication system, said method comprising: sending to one or more receiver node, or receiving from said one or more receiver node, a signaling indicating an initialization of a procedure to insert in a plurality of data packets reference signals according to a plurality of reference signal patterns having respectively a plurality of distinct values of at least one parameter; inserting reference signals according to a first reference signal pattern in a first set of data packets ; sending, through a shared channel of said radiofrequency wireless communication system, said first set of data packets to said one or more receiver node of said radiofrequency wireless communication system ; inserting reference signals according to a second reference signal pattern in a second set of data packets, values of said at least one parameter being different between the first reference signal pattern and the second reference signal pattern ; sending, through said shared channel, said second set of data packets to said one or more receiver node.