Autonomous Reference Signal Configuration for Low-Latency Downlink Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved techniques in New Radio (NR) and LTE technology to enhance communication efficiency and reduce latency in wireless networks, particularly in response to downlink communication failures or errors.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring user equipment (UE) to transmit autonomous reference signals using pre-defined candidate resources before receiving a future downlink transmission, allowing for rapid signal retransmission without explicit instructions from the base station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the base station waits for explicit instructions from the UE before transmitting reference signals, then the control signaling is simple, but the latency increases and communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidcontrol signaling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary action by proactively transmitting reference signals before receiving explicit instructions from the UE. The base station monitors downlink communication status and autonomously determines when to transmit reference signals, eliminating the need for waiting for UE instructions and thereby reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station implements self-service by autonomously monitoring its own downlink communication status and independently deciding when to transmit reference signals without requiring explicit control instructions from the UE. This self-driven approach enables the base station to respond immediately to communication needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the UE transmits reference signals autonomously without base station instructions, then the communication efficiency improves, but the control mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidautonomous control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE implements self-service by autonomously monitoring downlink communication status and independently determining when to transmit reference signals. The UE uses its own received downlink control information to trigger reference signal transmission, eliminating the need for separate base station instructions and improving communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the UE monitor downlink control information and use this feedback to autonomously determine when to transmit reference signals. The downlink control information serves as feedback that triggers the UE's autonomous reference signal transmission, creating a closed-loop control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If reference signals are transmitted only after downlink errors are detected, then the error handling is simple, but the retransmission time is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretransmission reliabilityVSAvoidretransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary action by transmitting reference signals before actual downlink data transmission occurs. By monitoring the scheduled downlink transmission and proactively sending reference signals in advance, the system ensures that channel state information is available before retransmission is needed, eliminating delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by continuously monitoring downlink communication status and maintaining ready-state reference signal transmission capability. When downlink errors occur, the reference signals can be immediately transmitted without interruption or delay, ensuring continuous and reliable retransmission operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4135253B1Autonomous reference signal transmission configuration
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4135253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4135253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4135253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for autonomous reference signal transmission configuration. Certain aspects provide a method of receiving a configuration message from the base station, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication of a set of candidate resources for transmitting the reference signal. Certain aspects provide a method of detecting a future downlink transmission from the base station, and other aspects provide a method of transmitting, in response to detecting the future downlink transmission, the reference signal utilizing a first resource of the set of candidate resources prior to receiving the future downlink transmission via a second resource in the set of candidate resources.