Adaptive SRS Antenna Selection for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transmission of sounding reference signals (SRS) using transmit antenna switching (TAS) in MIMO technology can result in unnecessary power consumption when the channel capacity increase is not expected, as it involves transmitting SRSs via multiple antennas, which may not be efficient in all emission environments.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device measures the emission environment and determines the optimal number of antennas to use for SRS transmission based on the strength of reflected or received signals, allowing for adaptive antenna selection and reducing unnecessary power consumption by potentially using fewer antennas or skipping the TAS operation when the emission environment is poor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transmit antenna switching (TAS) operation is used to transmit sounding reference signals via multiple antennas, then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of antenna usage from fixed multi-antenna TAS operation to adaptive single-antenna selection based on emission environment assessment. The system dynamically adjusts which antenna is used for SRS transmission based on measured channel conditions, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate channel estimation accuracy when MIMO is not beneficial.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using only one antenna for SRS transmission instead of switching through multiple antennas. When the emission environment assessment indicates that MIMO technology will not provide sufficient channel capacity increase, the system performs a reduced version of the TAS operation, using minimal resources (single antenna) to achieve the necessary channel estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If sounding reference signal transmission is performed using multiple antennas, then MIMO channel capacity is increased, but resource efficiency deteriorates in poor emission environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel capacityVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptation in antenna selection based on real-time emission environment assessment. The system transitions from a static multi-antenna TAS approach to a dynamic single-antenna selection approach that adjusts to current channel conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize resource efficiency by using fewer antennas when the emission environment is poor, while still maintaining the capability to use multiple antennas when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces unnecessary SRS transmission, conserves power, and improves throughput by securing available resources and optimizing antenna usage, thereby extending battery life and enhancing communication efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

measuring an emission environment of a plurality of antennas, using the signal, wherein the emission environment includes a strength of a reflected signal which corresponds to the signal and is reflected by a first antenna subset

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3912301B1Method of transmitting sounding reference signal and electronic device therefor
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3912301B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3912301B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3912301B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A transmission of a sounding reference signal by an electronic device is provided. A method of an electronic device includes transmitting a signal via a first antenna subset including at least one of a plurality of antennas, measuring an emission environment of the plurality of antennas, using the signal, determining at least one antenna to be used for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS), based on the emission environment, and transmitting the SRS via the at least one determined antenna. The emission environment includes a strength of a reflected signal that corresponds to the signal and is reflected by the first antenna subset, or a strength of a reception signal that corresponds to the signal and is received by a second antenna subset including at least one remaining antenna.