Aperiodic SRS Configuration via DCI Merging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE systems struggle to efficiently configure aperiodic SRS transmissions, leading to increased SRS resource requirements and reduced multiplexing capabilities, especially in LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation scenarios, which hampers resource utilization and scheduling flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A method for configuring aperiodic SRS transmissions by the base station, where the base station notifies user equipment to send aperiodic SRS on corresponding uplink component carriers through PDSCH or high-layer signaling, using specific RNTIs and DCI formats to convey configuration information, allowing flexible scheduling and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the base station configures aperiodic SRS transmissions using existing LTE mechanisms, then the SRS resource requirements increase, but the multiplexing capabilities are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSRS transmission flexibilityVSAvoidSRS resource requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines aperiodic SRS triggering with existing DCI formats (0, 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, 3A) used for uplink scheduling and power control. By merging SRS configuration functions into already-decoded DCI structures, the system achieves flexible aperiodic SRS transmission without requiring separate dedicated signaling resources, thus avoiding increased resource requirements while maintaining multiplexing capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the base station uses separate signaling for SRS configuration, then the scheduling flexibility improves, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges SRS configuration information with existing DCI payloads that are already being transmitted for uplink scheduling and power control purposes. Specifically, it utilizes the TPC command fields in DCI formats 0, 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, and 3A to convey SRS triggering and configuration parameters, thereby achieving enhanced scheduling flexibility without introducing additional signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing DCI formats multi-functional by enabling them to simultaneously perform their original scheduling/power control functions and additional SRS configuration functions. The same DCI structure serves multiple purposes: uplink grant delivery, power control command transmission, and aperiodic SRS triggering, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining comprehensive scheduling flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the system supports aperiodic SRS in LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation, then the resource utilization improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines aperiodic SRS triggering mechanisms across multiple component carriers into a unified DCI-based approach. By merging the configuration of SRS resources, triggering conditions, and transmission parameters into existing DCI structures that are already processed by the UE, the system achieves improved resource utilization across carrier aggregation scenarios without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2485553B1Apparatus and method for signaling configuration of sounding reference signals, srs
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 ZTE CORP
  • EP2485553B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2485553B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2485553B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for a signaling configuration of a sounding reference signal. The method includes: a base station notifying a user equipment to aperiodically send the sounding reference signal, and sending configuration information of aperiodically sending the sounding reference signal (SRS) down to the user equipment. The present invention also discloses a base station for a signaling configuration of a sounding reference signal and a user equipment for a signaling configuration of a sounding reference signal. The present invention can realize that the user equipment aperiodically sends the SRS, which improves the utilization ratio of SRS resources and increases the flexibility of resource scheduling.