Channel Estimation via Reference Signals in Wireless Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in estimating channels accurately due to CSI feedback delays, particularly in MU-MIMO and CoMP technologies, which require global CSI knowledge, complicating operations and reducing applicability.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method enables channel estimation in wireless communication systems without CSI sharing by using reference signals, allowing MAT, Alt MAT, and GMAT schemes to operate without the need for CSI sharing among users, thereby eliminating the CSI sharing constraint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If MAT, Alt MAT, and GMAT schemes are used to achieve 33% sum-rate increase over TDMA, then throughput is improved, but global CSI knowledge is required at all terminals which increases device complexity and operation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesum-rateVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel estimation process into two independent parts: self-channel estimation (each terminal estimates its own channel using reference signals) and interference channel estimation (each terminal estimates interference channels independently). This segmentation eliminates the need for global CSI sharing while maintaining the throughput benefits of MAT/Alt MAT/GMAT schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces reference signals as an intermediary mechanism that enables each terminal to independently estimate both its own channel and interference channels without requiring direct CSI sharing between terminals. The reference signals serve as a common medium that carries channel information that can be independently processed by each terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If CSI sharing among users is enabled through device to device communications, then global CSI knowledge is achieved, but system complexity increases severely and applicability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCSI knowledgeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables each terminal to perform self-service channel estimation by independently estimating its own channel and interference channels using reference signals. Each terminal processes the reference signals it receives to extract both self-channel information and interference channel information, eliminating the need for complex inter-terminal CSI sharing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If classical predictive methods are used to estimate current CSI based on past estimates, then implementation is simple, but satisfactory results are not provided when CSI is completely outdated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidCSI accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary channel estimation using reference signals that are transmitted before data transmission. By estimating both self-channels and interference channels in advance using these reference signals, the system prepares accurate channel state information that can be used for interference cancellation and signal detection, avoiding the need for outdated predictive methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3054636B1Method and device for estimating channel in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 IP2IPO INNOVATIONS LTD
  • EP3054636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3054636B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3054636B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for estimating a channel in a wireless communication system in which a plurality of terminals and a base station communicate with each other, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving reference signals transmitted through a plurality of slots; and estimating a channel by using the reference signals. Here, for the channel estimation, the number of reference signals received through at least one slot among the plurality of slots is different from the number of reference signals received through the other slots.