Coordinated Multi-Point Sounding Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In coordinated multipoint transmission/reception communication networks, such as LTE-A, the overhead of sounding reference signals (SRS) increases due to the need to reserve resources in interfering cells for channel state information, especially when frequent transmissions are required for antenna correlation estimation and UL channel aware packet scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the allocation of two distinct sounding resources: one for the serving cell and another for interfering cells, each with its own configuration parameters, allowing for separate management of SRS resources to reduce overhead and optimize channel state information acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sounding reference signals are transmitted in interfering cells for antenna correlation estimation, then channel state information can be obtained, but SRS resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments SRS resources into cell-specific resources and UE-specific resources. Cell-specific SRS resources are shared across multiple cells for antenna correlation estimation, while UE-specific resources are allocated individually for precise channel state information. This segmentation allows interfering cells to reuse the same time-frequency resources for sounding, reducing overall SRS overhead while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If sounding resources are reserved in interfering cells, then channel state information can be acquired, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates cell-specific SRS resources that serve multiple functions: they enable antenna correlation estimation in interfering cells and can be reused by multiple UEs across different cells. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate UE-specific SRS allocations in each interfering cell, thereby reducing resource allocation complexity while maintaining the ability to acquire channel state information.
3Productivity
If frequent sounding transmissions are performed for UL channel aware packet scheduling, then scheduling performance improves, but SRS resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cell-specific SRS resources with UE-specific SRS resources in the time-frequency domain. By configuring cell-specific SRS to occur at the same time and frequency locations as UE-specific SRS, the system achieves frequent sounding for improved scheduling performance without proportionally increasing total SRS resource consumption, as the cell-specific component is shared across multiple UEs and cells.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method, respective apparatuses, system and computer program product for obtaining channel state information in a coordinated multi¬point transmission/reception communication network. The method comprises allocating a first sounding resource to at least one of a plurality of user equipment in a coordinated multi-point transmission/reception communication network for transmitting sounding reference signal to a base station of a serving cell, and allocating a second sounding resource to the at least one user equipment for transmitting sounding reference signal to a base station of an interfering cell, wherein the first and the second sounding resource are different from each other.