CSI-RS Activation Control for Beam Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in New Radio (NR) and legacy LTE/LTE-Advanced systems, there is a lack of standardized procedures for User Equipment (UE) to properly perform CSI-reporting when CSI-Reference Signals (RS) transmission and reporting are turned on/off, leading to inefficiencies in beam management and precoding.

Innovation Solution

A method where the Transmission and Reception Point (TRP) transmits information to the UE to set both Resource and CSI reporting settings to activation or deactivation, allowing the UE to assume CSI-RS transmission and perform CSI reporting based on predetermined time domain behaviors, such as periodic, aperiodic, or semi-persistent, thereby clarifying UE procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the TRP transmits CSI-RS and UE performs CSI reporting independently without standardized procedures, then the system allows flexibility in beam management and precoding, but the UE may not perform CSI reporting properly leading to communication inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in beam managementVSAvoidproper CSI reporting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of control signaling by introducing a new MAC CE command format that simultaneously controls both Resource setting and CSI reporting setting. This parameter change enables synchronized activation/deactivation of CSI-RS transmission and CSI reporting, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining flexibility through configurable time domain behaviors (periodic, aperiodic, semi-persistent).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal control mechanism where a single MAC CE command serves multiple functions: it activates or deactivates both the Resource setting (CSI-RS transmission) and the CSI reporting setting simultaneously. This multi-functional approach ensures proper coordination between TRP and UE, eliminating the reliability problem while preserving adaptability through its ability to handle different time domain behaviors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If legacy LTE/LTE-Advanced systems use traditional CSI reporting methods, then the systems maintain backward compatibility, but they do not support dynamic on/off control of CSI-RS transmission and reporting until LTE Rel. 13

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoiddynamic on/off control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic control capability to legacy systems by implementing a MAC CE command that enables real-time activation and deactivation of CSI-RS transmission and CSI reporting. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt between different operational states (periodic, aperiodic, semi-persistent) while maintaining backward compatibility with existing LTE/LTE-Advanced infrastructure through standardized MAC CE formatting and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the system implements independent control of Resource setting and CSI reporting setting, then the system allows granular configuration, but the UE procedures are not determined in the 3GPP standard causing implementation ambiguity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegranular configurationVSAvoidUE procedure clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of Resource setting and CSI reporting setting into a single MAC CE command structure. This combination maintains granular configuration capability through separate field indicators within the command while simultaneously providing clear UE procedures through a unified control mechanism defined in the 3GPP standard, eliminating implementation ambiguity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11159269B2Method of acquiring channel state information (CSI), user equipment (UE), and transmission and reception point (TRP)

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A method of acquiring Channel State Information (CSI) includes transmitting, from a Transmission and Reception Point (TRP) to a User Equipment (UE), information indicating that both of a Resource setting and a CSI reporting setting are commonly set to activation or deactivation. The Resource setting being set to the activation causes the UE to assume that CSI-Reference Signals (RSs) are to be transmitted from the TRP. The CSI reporting setting being set to the activation triggers the UE to perform CSI reporting. The method further includes receiving, with the UE, the CSI-RSs transmitted in accordance with a predetermined type of time domain behavior when the Resource setting is set to the activation. The method further includes performing, with the UE, the CSI reporting in accordance with the predetermined type of time domain behavior when the CSI reporting setting is set to activation.