Controllable CSI-RS Density via Port Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The next generation mobile wireless communication system (5G or NR) faces challenges in controlling Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) density, particularly at high frequencies where propagation characteristics make achieving good coverage difficult, and in supporting flexible numerology with scalable sub-carrier spacing.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for flexible and controllable CSI-RS antenna port density by configuring the number of ports assigned to an aggregated CSI-RS resource and subsampling the CSI-RS in the frequency domain, enabling a single CSI-RS framework to adapt to various use cases and deployment scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CSI-RS density is increased to improve channel estimation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of CSI-RS by configuring different numbers of antenna ports (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, or 32 ports) and applying subsampling factors (1, 2, 3, or 4) in the frequency domain. This allows the system to adjust CSI-RS density dynamically based on channel conditions and deployment scenarios, improving channel estimation accuracy when needed while reducing overhead in other cases.
2Reliability
If CSI-RS density is increased to support high-gain beamforming at high frequencies, then reliability is improved, but loss of energy increases due to higher overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of CSI-RS density through configurable antenna port counts and frequency-domain subsampling. The system can adaptively adjust the density of CSI-RS resources based on deployment scenarios (e.g., mmWave vs. sub-6GHz), beamforming requirements, and channel conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures sufficient reference signals for reliable channel estimation and beam management while minimizing resource overhead and energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single CSI-RS framework is used to support flexible numerology with scalable sub-carrier spacing, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal CSI-RS framework that can support multiple use cases and deployment scenarios through a single unified structure. By configuring different numbers of antenna ports and applying frequency-domain subsampling, the same framework adapts to diverse requirements including analog beamforming, digital front ends, various sub-carrier spacings, and different frequency ranges (from sub-6GHz to mmWave). This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate CSI-RS frameworks for different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for configuring, in a network node of a wireless communication network, a reference signal resource. An example method comprises obtaining a combination of one or more components to be used for a reference signal resource, the one or more components being contained in one or more physical resource blocks of a slot; and indicating, to the one or more wireless devices, the combination of the one or more components in the one or more physical resource blocks that are to be used for the reference signal resource.