CoMP Precoded Reference Signals for Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in coordinating multiple transmission points effectively, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and reception, particularly in multiple-access systems like CDMA, TDMA, and OFDMA, where simultaneous support for multiple users and devices results in suboptimal channel estimation and data decoding.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of adaptive communication methods involving coordinated multiple point (CoMP) access points that precode dedicated reference signals (DRS) and data signals, allowing wireless devices to measure channel conditions and provide feedback for optimized transmission diversity, thereby improving channel estimation and data decoding through precoding and channel estimate averaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple transmission points transmit data simultaneously to support multiple users, then system capacity and user support increase, but channel estimation accuracy and signal decoding performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference signal transmission by assigning different cyclic shifts to different transmission points. Each transmission point uses a distinct cyclic shift of the base reference signal sequence, allowing the receiver to separate and estimate channels from multiple points independently. This segmentation enables simultaneous multi-user support while maintaining accurate channel estimation for each user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the reference signal characteristics for each transmission point through cyclic shifting. Each transmission point receives a locally adapted version of the reference signal tailored to its specific channel conditions and user requirements, improving the precision of local channel estimation while supporting multiple users globally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If dedicated reference signals are transmitted for each user, then channel estimation precision improves, but signal overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation precisionVSAvoidsignal overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by generating dedicated reference signals for each user through cyclic shifting of a common base sequence. Instead of creating entirely separate reference signal structures for each user, the system copies and modifies the base sequence with different cyclic shifts, providing user-specific channel estimation capabilities while reusing the same fundamental signal structure to minimize overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by designing a single base reference signal sequence that serves multiple users through cyclic shifting. This universal base sequence can be adapted to serve different users and transmission points without requiring separate dedicated sequences for each, reducing overall signal overhead while maintaining precise channel estimation for all users.

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

3Productivity

If precoding is applied to reference signals and data signals, then transmission efficiency and data rates improve, but receiver complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidreceiver processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiver measures channel conditions based on the precoded reference signals and sends feedback information back to the transmitter. This feedback enables the transmitter to adaptively adjust precoding parameters to optimize data transmission rates while keeping receiver processing complexity manageable through standardized measurement and reporting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by precoding the reference signals before transmission. The transmitter performs the complex precoding operation in advance using channel state information, so that when the receiver gets the signals, the majority of the complex processing has already been done at the transmitter side, reducing the burden on the receiver while maintaining high transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2460328B1Adaptive transmissions in coordinated multiple point communications
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2460328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2460328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2460328B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate adaptively communicating data to wireless devices. An access point can precode a dedicated reference signal (DRS) for transmitting to a wireless device, and the wireless device can receive the precoded DRS. The wireless device can determine the precoder by estimating a channel of the DRS and can provide channel condition feedback to the access point. The access point can create data signals including a single or a burst of data transmissions according to the feedback and can precode the data signals using the same precoder. The wireless device can additionally decode the data signals using the precoder. Moreover, the access point can cycle through precoders according to a patterned, random, pseudo-random, and/or similar sequence.