Antenna Port Assignment Signaling for Multi-User MIMO Demodulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE technology and other multi-access systems face challenges in efficiently managing antenna port assignments for user equipment (UE) in wireless communication systems, which affects data transmission and reception, particularly in scenarios with varying channel conditions and multiple-user MIMO operations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves receiving downlink control information (DCI) that includes the total number of available antenna ports, a rank indicator, and port assignment bits, allowing for the determination of a subset of assigned antenna ports based on these indicators, and performing demodulation using reference signals corresponding to the assigned ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If antenna port assignments are communicated using existing LTE methods, then basic communication functionality is maintained, but system capacity and performance are limited due to inefficient resource utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidantenna port assignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antenna port assignment process into distinct components: DCI message structure with explicit antenna port indicators, rank indicator fields, and reference signal resource indicator fields. This segmentation allows for more precise and flexible control of antenna ports, improving system capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization of assignment parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic antenna port assignment where the number and configuration of antenna ports can be flexibly adjusted based on channel conditions and user requirements. The DCI format allows real-time modification of antenna port assignments, rank indicators, and reference signal resources, enabling the system to adapt to varying conditions and optimize capacity dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple-user MIMO operations are implemented to improve system capacity, then resource utilization increases, but the complexity of managing antenna port assignments increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidport assignment management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces downlink control information (DCI) messages as an intermediary mechanism that carries antenna port assignment parameters from the base station to user equipment. This intermediary structure standardizes the communication of complex assignment information, including antenna port indicators, rank indicators, and reference signal resource indicators, making it easier to manage multiple-user MIMO operations while improving resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes multiple configurable parameters within the DCI format, including antenna port indicators, rank indicators, and reference signal resource indicators. By dynamically changing these parameters based on channel conditions and user requirements, the system can efficiently manage multiple-user MIMO operations, optimizing resource utilization while keeping assignment management tractable through parameter-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If antenna port assignments are optimized for specific channel conditions, then data transmission efficiency improves, but the adaptability to varying channel conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidchannel condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic antenna port assignment through DCI messages that can be adaptively configured based on real-time channel conditions. The system can change antenna port indicators, rank indicators, and reference signal resource indicators dynamically, allowing optimization for specific channel conditions while maintaining the ability to adapt to varying conditions through real-time reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where channel state information is used to determine optimal antenna port assignments. The base station receives channel condition feedback from user equipment and uses this information to configure appropriate antenna port indicators, rank indicators, and reference signal resources in subsequent DCI messages, thereby optimizing data transmission efficiency for specific channel conditions while maintaining adaptability through continuous feedback-driven adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9094074B2Method and apparatus for communicating antenna port assignments
Publication Date: 2015.07.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • US9094074B2 patent drawing
  • US9094074B2 patent drawing
  • US9094074B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which downlink control information (DCI) including a total number of available antenna ports, a rank indicator for a user equipment (UE), and one or more port assignment bits is received, a subset of the total number of available antenna ports that are assigned to the UE based on at least one of: the rank indicator or the one or more port assignment bits is determined, and demodulation based on reference signals corresponding to the set of assigned antenna ports is performed.