Unified Beam Alignment via CSI-RS and SRS Resource Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beam alignment processes in high-frequency communications systems require separate uplink and downlink beam alignment procedures, resulting in high time-frequency resource overheads and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method where a base station sends configuration information to associate CSI-RS and SRS measurement resources, allowing for simultaneous uplink and downlink beam alignment using a single beam alignment process by indicating the relationship between these resources, thereby reducing resource overheads and improving alignment efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate uplink and downlink beam alignment processes are used, then beam alignment can be achieved, but time-frequency resource overheads increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam alignmentVSAvoidtime-frequency resource overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate uplink and downlink beam alignment processes into a single unified beam alignment process. The base station performs both uplink beam scanning (using SRS) and downlink beam scanning (using CSI-RS) simultaneously on the same time-frequency resources, eliminating the need for four separate scanning operations and reducing resource overhead while ensuring both uplink and downlink beam alignment are achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If four times of beam scanning are performed for uplink and downlink alignment, then complete beam alignment is achieved, but resource overheads become high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam alignment completenessVSAvoidresource overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges four separate beam scanning operations (uplink and downlink) into a single combined scanning process. The base station configures the UE to perform both uplink SRS transmission and downlink CSI-RS reception simultaneously, with both operations sharing the same time-frequency resources. This reduces the number of scanning operations from four to one while maintaining complete beam alignment coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the same time-frequency resources serve multiple functions simultaneously. The configured resources are used for both uplink SRS transmission and downlink CSI-RS reception, allowing the system to perform both uplink and downlink beam scanning on the same resources. This multi-functionality eliminates resource waste and reduces overall overhead while ensuring comprehensive beam alignment.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3562236B1Method and device for indicating configuration resource
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3562236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3562236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3562236B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a configuration resource indication method and an apparatus, and relate to the field of communications technologies, to resolve a prior-art problem that uplink beam alignment and downlink beam alignment cannot be performed simultaneously, and time-frequency resource overheads are high in a beam alignment process. The method includes: generating, by a base station, configuration information, where the configuration information includes information used to indicate a relationship between a channel state information-reference signal CSI-RS measurement resource and a sounding reference signal SRS measurement resource; sending, by the base station, the configuration information at a configuration moment; or receiving, by the user equipment, configuration information from a network device; determining the CSI-RS measurement resource and the SRS measurement resource based on the configuration information; and performing corresponding measurement.