Base Station Demodulator Configuration for Multi-Layer Wireless Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, user equipment (UE) currently determines demodulator configurations independently for multi-layer transmissions, which can be inefficient in terms of power usage and may not optimize data processing due to lack of awareness of UE capabilities by the base station.

Innovation Solution

A method where the base station transmits an indication of demodulator configuration to the UE based on uplink signals, such as sounding reference signals and channel state information, to optimize demodulation schemes for multi-layer transmissions, considering UE capabilities and channel conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UE independently determines demodulator configurations for multi-layer transmissions, then the UE can autonomously adapt to channel conditions, but the power consumption increases and processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous adaptation to channel conditionsVSAvoidpower consumption at UE

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary by determining the demodulator configuration based on uplink channel measurements and transmitting it to the UE. This mediator approach allows the UE to avoid complex independent determination while still achieving adaptive demodulation optimized for the actual channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The computationally intensive task of determining demodulator configuration is extracted from the UE and relocated to the base station. The base station leverages its superior processing capabilities and channel measurements to determine the configuration, which is then provided to the UE for execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Extent of automation

If the UE independently determines demodulator configurations, then autonomous operation is maintained, but data processing efficiency is not optimized due to lack of base station awareness of UE capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operation at UEVSAvoiddata processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback through uplink channel measurements (such as sounding reference signals) that provide the base station with information about channel conditions and UE capabilities. The base station uses this feedback to determine an optimized demodulator configuration that matches both the channel state and UE processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs preliminary determination of the demodulator configuration before downlink transmission based on uplink channel measurements. This preliminary action ensures that the configuration is optimized and ready before the actual data transmission, improving processing efficiency without compromising autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the base station determines demodulator configuration based on uplink signals, then processing power at UE is reduced, but additional signaling overhead is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing power at UEVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The uplink signaling mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides channel state information for demodulator configuration determination, enables base station awareness of UE capabilities, and supports resource allocation. By making the signaling multi-functional, the overhead is justified by the multiple benefits gained from the same information exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11997185B2Demodulator configuration based on user equipment signaling

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A base station may transmit an indication of a demodulator configuration to a user equipment (UE) for the UE to use that demodulator configuration for demodulating a multi-layer transmission from the base station. The base station may determine the demodulator configuration for the UE to use based on one or more uplink signals transmitted from the UE. Additionally, the UE may transmit an indication of demodulator capabilities that the UE supports to the base station, where the base station determines the demodulator configuration based on the indication of the demodulator capabilities. In some examples, the demodulator configuration may indicate a demodulation search space corresponding to a number of layers included per layer group of the multi-layer transmission, may correspond to an amount of cross correlation determined between respective layers of the multi-layer transmission, or a combination thereof.