Beam Management Reference Signal Interference Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G or New Radio (NR) systems supporting Multi-User Multi-Input Multi-Output (MU-MIMO) operations, periodic zero-power Channel Status Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) are inefficient for intra-cell interference measurement due to dynamic scheduling, leading to inaccurate channel condition reflection and degraded link adaptation performance.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing beam management reference signals (BM-RSs), specifically periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic downlink BM-RSs, as interference measurement resources (IMRs) to perform intra-cell interference measurement by channel estimation and interference emulation, reducing the need for separate CSI-RS allocation and minimizing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If periodic zero-power CSI-RS are used for interference measurement, then interference measurement can be performed, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to dynamic scheduling in MU-MIMO operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines beam management reference signals (BM-RS) with interference measurement resource (IMR) functionality. The BM-RS, originally designed for beam management, is repurposed to serve dual functions: beam management and interference measurement. This merging eliminates the need for separate zero-power CSI-RS resources and ensures that interference measurement reflects actual dynamic scheduling conditions since BM-RS are transmitted with actual beamforming weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam management reference signals are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: beam management operations and interference measurement. By configuring BM-RS with actual power and beamforming weights while enabling UE to perform interference measurement on these signals, the system achieves multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between measurement capability and measurement accuracy under dynamic scheduling.
2Quantity of substance
If separate CSI-RS are allocated for interference measurement, then interference measurement resources are available, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges BM-RS and IMR into a single resource configuration. Instead of allocating separate resources for beam management and interference measurement, the system configures BM-RS resources that serve both purposes. The network configures BM-RS with parameters including IMR information, allowing UEs to perform interference measurement on the same signals used for beam management, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam management reference signals are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: beam management operations and interference measurement. By configuring BM-RS with actual power and beamforming weights while enabling UE to perform interference measurement on these signals, the system achieves multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between measurement capability and measurement accuracy under dynamic scheduling.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein are a method and an apparatus for interference measurement using a beam management reference signal (BM-RS). The disclosure provides an apparatus for a user equipment (UE), comprising circuitry configured to: decode one or more beam management reference signals broadcasted by a Transmission Reception Point (TRP) in a cell, wherein the one or more beam management reference signals are used by the TRP to perform beam management for respective one or more other UEs in the cell; and measure interference from the one or more other UEs in the cell based on the decoded one or more beam management reference signals. According to some embodiments, the overhead for the interference measurement can be reduced since it is not necessary to allocate a separate CSI-RS for the purpose of interference measurement.