CSI RS Transmission in Contention-Based Spectrum

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, especially those operating in contention-based spectrum, the use of common or cell-specific reference signals (CRS) becomes insufficient when the number of antenna ports exceeds a threshold, leading to packet loss and communication disruptions, necessitating the employment of channel state information (CSI) reference signals (RS) to alleviate these issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of periodic, aperiodic, and quasi-periodic CSI RS transmission schemes, where CSI RS can be transmitted on a periodic, aperiodic, or quasi-periodic basis, indicated by specific signaling such as PCFICH or PFFICH, to support channel state information measurements in contention-based spectrum, allowing for flexible resource allocation and CoMP operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If common or cell-specific reference signals (CRS) are used for channel state information measurements, then the system complexity is low and compatibility is maintained, but the system becomes insufficient when the number of antenna ports exceeds a threshold, leading to packet loss and communication disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidantenna port support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic CSI RS transmission schemes (periodic, aperiodic, and quasi-periodic) that adapt to different antenna port configurations and channel conditions. The system can dynamically switch between different reference signal types and transmission patterns based on the number of antenna ports and channel state requirements, enabling reliable communication in high antenna port scenarios where static CRS becomes insufficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of reference signals by introducing CSI RS with configurable time-domain periodicity, frequency-domain resource allocation, and transmission timing indicators. These parameter changes enable the system to support a larger number of antenna ports and provide more flexible channel state information measurements, resolving the limitation of CRS when antenna ports exceed a threshold

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If CSI RS is transmitted periodically to ensure accurate channel state information, then channel measurement accuracy is improved, but resource overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel state information accuracyVSAvoidreference signal transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic CSI RS transmission with configurable periodicity, allowing the system to transmit reference signals at optimized intervals. This periodic action ensures accurate channel state information is available while controlling resource overhead by adjusting the transmission frequency based on channel conditions and service requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multiple transmission modes (periodic, aperiodic, quasi-periodic) that allow dynamic adjustment of CSI RS transmission based on channel conditions and service requirements. This dynamic approach balances measurement accuracy with resource efficiency by transmitting reference signals only when necessary, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If flexible resource allocation and CoMP operation are supported through CSI RS, then network efficiency and spectral utilization are improved, but signaling overhead and resource management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs CSI RS to serve multiple functions simultaneously: channel state information measurement, interference measurement, and support for coordinated multi-point (CoMP) operations. This multi-functionality improves network efficiency by using a single reference signal structure for multiple purposes, reducing overall signaling overhead compared to having separate reference signals for each function

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the resource allocation by introducing separate indication fields for different parameters (time-domain periodicity, frequency-domain resources, transmission timing). This segmentation allows flexible and independent configuration of each parameter, enabling efficient resource allocation for CoMP operations while managing complexity through modular parameter control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3304794B1Channel state information reference signals in contention-based spectrum
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3304794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3304794B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3304794B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described, which may be employed for wireless communication in contention-based (e.g., unlicensed or shared) spectrum. An aperiodic channel state information (CSI) reference signals (RS) may be used for channel quality indicator (CQI) measurements, for example. A user equipment (UE) may receive signaling to indicate the presence of CSI RS and may receive the CSI RS according to the signaling. The UE may then compute a CQI based on CSI RS, and transmit the CQI in a report to a base station. In some examples, a quasi-periodic CSI RS is used. For instance, the UE may determine a different location for the CSI RS. For example, the UE may identify a periodic anchor subframe, and locate the CSI RS based on constant offset from the anchor subframe. Periodic or a clear-channel-assessment-exempt transmission based CSI RS examples are also described.