Antenna Switching via Reference Signal Resource Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for antenna switching in wireless communications, particularly in 5G NR systems, are limited as they are strongly correlated with the transmission period of sounding reference signals (SRS), making it difficult for terminal devices to determine the appropriate antenna for switching when SRS transmission is not periodic, thereby limiting performance.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring reference signal resource groups and corresponding antenna groups, allowing terminal devices to flexibly perform antenna switching based on a correspondence between these groups, decoupling antenna switching from the transmission period and enabling flexible antenna switching in various transmission scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If antenna switching is based on transmission period of reference signal, then antenna switching can be performed in periodic systems, but it becomes inapplicable when SRS transmission is not periodic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to non-periodic transmissionVSAvoidantenna switching mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the basis for antenna switching from time-based (transmission period) to resource-group-based correspondence. By establishing a mapping relationship between reference signal resource groups and antenna groups, the system enables antenna switching to adapt to various transmission patterns including non-periodic transmissions, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple antennas are configured for downlink but fewer for uplink, then downlink capacity is improved, but antenna switching becomes necessary increasing system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink capacityVSAvoidantenna switching mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference signal resources into multiple resource groups and establishes a one-to-one correspondence with antenna groups. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple antennas systematically, enabling the terminal to switch between antenna groups based on which resource group is being used, thereby supporting high downlink capacity while organizing the switching mechanism in a manageable way.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If antenna switching is performed frequently to support more downlink antennas, then downlink performance is improved, but resource conflicts and signal quality issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink performanceVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes the correspondence between reference signal resource groups and antenna groups in advance through configuration information. This preliminary setup allows the terminal to determine the appropriate antenna group before transmission, avoiding last-minute switching that could cause signal quality degradation and resource conflicts, thus maintaining both high performance and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4054088B1Signal sending and receiving method, apparatus, and system
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4054088B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4054088B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4054088B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This application provides a signal sending and receiving method, to improve performance of a terminal device. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, at least one piece of resource configuration information, where the at least one piece of resource configuration information is used to determine N reference signal resource groups, and each of the N reference signal resource groups includes at least one reference signal resource; and sending a reference signal on a resource in an ith reference signal resource group in the N reference signal resource groups by using a jth antenna group corresponding to the ith reference signal resource group, where the jth antenna group includes at least one antenna. Any two of the N reference signal resource groups occupy different first-type time units, the N reference signal resource groups are corresponding to N antenna groups, and any two of the N antenna groups are different, where 1≤i≤N, 1≤j≤N, i and j are integers, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.