Beamformed Reference Signal Feedback for Wireless Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently reporting interference feedback from user equipment (UE) to access points, particularly with complex receivers, as explicit feedback requires large matrices, which can be burdensome and not useful for the access point.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating and transmitting a beamformed reference signal (RS) along with a normalization vector from the UE to the base station, allowing the base station to determine interference conditions and schedule uplink resources without requiring the full n × n matrix, thereby reducing feedback overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If explicit feedback of interference matrix is transmitted from UE to access point, then interference information is provided, but feedback overhead increases significantly due to n² real numbers required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference informationVSAvoidfeedback overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential interference information needed for resource scheduling rather than transmitting the complete n² interference matrix. The UE identifies and reports only the dominant interferers and their characteristics, separating the critical information from the redundant data in the full matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting the actual complete interference matrix, the patent uses simplified representations or compressed forms that capture the essential interference characteristics. The access point receives a condensed version that allows it to reconstruct or infer the necessary scheduling decisions without processing the full matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If full n × n interference matrix is reported by UE, then complete interference data is available, but complexity of feedback processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference data completenessVSAvoidfeedback processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential interference information needed for resource scheduling rather than transmitting the complete n² interference matrix. The UE identifies and reports only the dominant interferers and their characteristics, separating the critical information from the redundant data in the full matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by reporting only the most significant interference components rather than the complete matrix. The UE identifies top-k dominant interferers or uses compressed representations that capture essential characteristics without transmitting all n² elements, achieving sufficient accuracy with reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If complex receivers are used at UE, then reception performance is improved, but the feedback becomes less useful for access point scheduling decisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception performanceVSAvoidfeedback usefulness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts interference information that is specifically useful for access point scheduling decisions, separate from the detailed processing performed by complex UE receivers. The feedback focuses on macroscopic interference characteristics that guide resource allocation rather than microscopic receiver-level details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional feedback approach by having the UE report interference characteristics from the perspective of resource scheduling needs rather than receiver performance optimization. The feedback is structured to directly support access point scheduling decisions, converting receiver-centric information into scheduler-centric information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3566340B1Techniques for communicating feedback in wireless communications
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3566340B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3566340B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3566340B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure describe receiving, from an access point, an indication of at least one of a beamforming method for beamforming a RS or a normalization method for normalizing power for beamforming the RS. A channel covariance matrix corresponding to interference over a plurality of antenna ports can be generated, as well as a RS beamforming matrix based at least in part on modifying the channel covariance matrix and on the normalization method. The RS can be generated based on the RS beamforming matrix and the beamforming method. The RS can be transmitted to the access point based on the RS beamforming matrix.