Beam Reporting for SRS and PRS Using TOA Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems lack efficient methods for beam reporting of non-communication signals such as sensing reference signals (SRSs) and positioning reference signals (PRSs), which are crucial for RF sensing and positioning, as current CSI frameworks do not adequately support these signals.

Innovation Solution

Enhanced beam reporting techniques for non-communication signals involve a user equipment (UE) receiving and prioritizing reference signals based on time of arrival (TOA) parameter values, performing channel measurements, and transmitting reports to a network node, including TOA parameter values and other measurements like RSRP, SINR, and CQI, with specific configurations for these signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing CSI frameworks are used for beam reporting of non-communication signals, then the system maintains compatibility with current wireless communication standards, but the accuracy and efficiency of RF sensing and positioning deteriorate due to inadequate support for SRSs and PRSs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of RF sensing and positioningVSAvoidsupport for non-communication signals
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the existing CSI framework to handle both communication signals and non-communication signals (SRSs and PRSs) using a unified beam reporting mechanism. The UE prioritizes reference signals based on TOA parameters and includes both communication and sensing/positioning reference signals in the same CSI report, enabling the system to serve multiple functions through a single adapted framework.

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

2Productivity

If beam reporting is enhanced for non-communication signals with TOA parameter prioritization, then the efficiency of RF sensing and positioning improves, but the complexity of the reporting mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of RF sensing and positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of beam reporting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary prioritization of reference signals based on TOA parameters before generating the CSI report. By pre-ranking the reference signals according to their TOA values, the system efficiently identifies the most relevant signals for sensing and positioning without adding complex processing during the reporting phase, thus improving efficiency while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the beam reporting process into distinct stages: receiving multiple reference signals, prioritizing them based on TOA parameters, performing channel measurements, and generating the prioritized CSI report. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, improving overall efficiency while keeping individual processing steps manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple reference signals are measured and reported with prioritization, then the channel state information accuracy improves, but the reporting overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel state information accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time for measurements and reporting
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of measuring and reporting all received reference signals equally, the UE applies partial action by selecting and prioritizing only the most relevant reference signals based on TOA parameters. This approach captures the essential channel state information needed for accurate sensing and positioning while avoiding the time overhead of processing every single reference signal, thus achieving a balance between measurement precision and processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4208953B1Techniques to enhance beam reporting for non-communication signals
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4208953B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4208953B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4208953B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive, from a network node, such as a base station or another UE, one or more reference signals. The reference signals may be examples of sensing reference signals (SRSs) or positioning reference signals (PRSs). The UE may identify a time of arrival (TOA) parameter value associated with each of the one or more references signals, and the UE may prioritize each of the one or more reference signals based on the TOA parameter value associated with each of the one or more reference signals. In some cases, the UE may perform a channel measurement procedure, and may transmit a report including the results of the measurement, to the network node. The report may include TOA parameter values associated with each of the one or more reference signals received from the network node.