CSI-RS Port Extension via Resource Group Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CSI-RS designs only support up to 16 ports, failing to provide a method for extending more ports, which is necessary for enhanced MIMO capabilities in wireless communication systems like LTE.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves dividing transmission resources into two groups, with the first group of configuration resources determined based on allocated resource configurations and the second group being a subset of the first, allowing for the transmission and reception of reference signals across these resource groups to support additional CSI-RS ports, while reusing legacy resource configurations to reduce RRC signal overhead and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If CSI-RS antenna ports are increased to support more MIMO capabilities, then the MIMO capability is improved, but the overhead for CSI-RS transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CSI-RS resources by dividing 32 antenna ports into multiple groups (e.g., first group with ports 0-15 and second group with ports 16-31). Each group can be configured independently with its own resource allocation parameters, allowing the system to support more antenna ports while managing overhead through selective activation and grouping of port sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the CSI-RS port numbering from the traditional 0-31 range into a new dimension by introducing port indices beyond 31 (e.g., 32-63). This dimensional extension allows support for larger MIMO configurations without fundamentally changing the existing resource allocation structure, thereby managing overhead while expanding capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of CSI-RS ports is extended beyond 16, then more MIMO capabilities are supported, but the impact on legacy UE increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna ports into legacy-compatible groups (first group with ports 0-15) and extended groups (second group with ports 16-31 or beyond). Legacy UEs can be configured to monitor only the first group, while new UEs can access both groups, thereby extending MIMO capability without forcing legacy UEs to handle the complexity of extended port ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the resource allocation mechanism to be universal across different UE types. The same resource allocation parameters and signaling structures are used for both legacy and extended port configurations, allowing a single system to serve multiple generations of UEs simultaneously with different capability levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If resource configurations are created for extended CSI-RS ports, then more ports are supported, but the RRC signal overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the resource allocation signaling for extended ports with the existing legacy port allocation framework. By reusing the same RRC message structures and parameter names for both legacy and extended port configurations, the system avoids creating separate signaling paths, thereby reducing overall RRC overhead while supporting expanded port ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial configuration activation where not all extended port resources need to be activated simultaneously. The system can selectively enable specific port groups based on current MIMO requirements, reducing the amount of RRC signaling needed to configure and maintain resources for all possible extended ports at once.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for transmitting and receiving reference signals. In transmitting reference signals, reference signals are transmitted using a first group of configuration resources within a first transmission resource group; and the reference signals are transmitted using a second group of configuration resources within a second transmission resource group. The first group of configuration resources are determined based on allocated resource configurations for the reference signals and the second group of configuration resources are a subset of the first group of configuration resources.