3D Beamforming Channel State Information Feedback Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional channel estimation methods in LTE systems only support feedback of channel state information in a horizontal dimension, which is insufficient for 3D beamforming technology that requires channel state information in both horizontal and vertical dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A method for user equipment to select and feed back channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) resources from multiple configured ports, allowing the base station to determine channel state information in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, enabling effective 3D beamforming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional channel estimation method is used, then channel state information feedback is simple and compatible with existing systems, but only horizontal dimension information is provided which is insufficient for 3D beamforming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with existing systemsVSAvoidvertical dimension channel state information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends conventional 2D channel estimation to 3D channel estimation by adding the vertical dimension. Multiple CSI-RS resources with different spatial filters are configured to enable channel state information acquisition in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, allowing 3D beamforming while maintaining backward compatibility with existing LTE systems through incremental deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If 3D beamforming is implemented, then user throughput and average throughput rates are improved, but channel state information feedback complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser throughput rateVSAvoidchannel state information feedback complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the 3D channel state information feedback into multiple components: RI (rank indication), PMI (precoding matrix indicator) for horizontal dimension, and additional PMI/CQI for vertical dimension. This segmentation allows the system to progressively enable 3D beamforming capabilities while managing feedback complexity through configurable reporting modes and selective activation of vertical dimension feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If channel state information in both horizontal and vertical dimensions is fed back, then precise 3D beamforming is enabled, but feedback overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel state information accuracyVSAvoidfeedback overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial feedback by allowing the network to configure which dimensions (horizontal only, vertical only, or both) are reported based on deployment scenarios. The feedback overhead is optimized by reporting only the necessary vertical dimension information (additional PMI and CQI) when 3D beamforming is activated, rather than always transmitting complete 3D channel state information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the feedback parameters dynamically based on channel conditions and network configuration. The RI, PMI, and CQI parameters are adjusted according to the rank and quality of channels in different dimensions, allowing the system to adapt feedback quantity and precision to actual network conditions, thereby optimizing the balance between measurement precision and feedback overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3324550B1Channel state information feedback method, user equipment and base station
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3324550B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3324550B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2
  • EP3324550B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a channel state information feedback method, user equipment, and a base station. The method includes: determining, by user equipment, N CSI-RS resources according to a quantity N, configured by a base station, of CSI-RS resources that need to be fed back; performing channel estimation on a port included in the N CSI-RS resources, to obtain channel state information in a horizontal dimension; then selecting M CSI-RS resources from the N CSI-RS resources; and feeding back channel state information of the M CSI-RS resources in the horizontal dimension and indication information of the M CSI-RS resources to the base station, so that the base station determines channel state information in a vertical dimension according to the indication information, so as to finally obtain channel state information in the two dimensions, thereby resolving a problem that channel state information in only a horizontal dimension is fed back during conventional channel estimation.