CSI-RS Resource Shifting to Prevent False PMI Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In NR wireless communication systems, the issue of false precoding matrix indicator (PMI) selection due to overlapping CSI-RS resources from serving and interfering cells leads to a sharp drop in PDSCH throughput at the cell edge, particularly when the same CSI-RS sequence is used for all ports, causing interference and incorrect channel estimation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing partially overlapped CSI-RS shifting by configuring each CSI-RS port with its own unique sequence, and optionally using a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) based on physical cell ID (PCI) to mitigate interference between cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the same CSI-RS sequence is used for all ports, then device complexity is reduced, but interference between cells increases and channel estimation accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless device complexityVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CSI-RS resources by introducing cell-specific shifts in the time-frequency grid. Each cell's CSI-RS ports are divided into different resource locations based on the cell's PCI, so that overlapping CSI-RS from different cells do not interfere with each other. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing unique sequences per port while distributing them across different resources to maintain manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making each CSI-RS port have its own unique sequence characteristics determined by local cell parameters (PCI, port index). Instead of using a global same sequence for all ports, each port's sequence is locally adapted with specific shifts and scrambling, improving channel estimation accuracy while keeping the overall system complexity controlled through systematic local variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If CSI-RS resources from serving and interfering cells overlap, then resource utilization is improved, but false PMI selection occurs and PDSCH throughput drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidPMI selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of CSI-RS resources by introducing cell-specific time-frequency shifts based on PCI. The frequency shift Δk and time shift Δl are derived from the PCI, which transforms overlapping CSI-RS resources into non-overlapping or partially overlapping resources. This parameter change maintains high resource utilization while preventing false PMI selection by ensuring that interfering cell's CSI-RS does not contaminate the serving cell's channel estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If CSI-RS resources are shifted to avoid overlap, then interference is reduced, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interferenceVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling each cell to automatically determine its own CSI-RS resource shifts based on its PCI. The cell-specific shifts are derived from the cell's own identifier without requiring complex centralized coordination or device-side calculations. This self-service mechanism reduces inter-cell interference through automatic resource isolation while keeping resource allocation complexity low through simple PCI-based shift determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4144022B1Partially overlapped CSI-RS shifting
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4144022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4144022B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4144022B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method, system and apparatus are disclosed for partially overlapped channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) shifting. In some embodiments, a method implemented in a network node includes configuring a first channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, resource in a set of candidate CSI-RS resources, the first CSI-RS resource partially overlapping a second CSI-RS resource in the set of candidate CSI-RS resources, the first CSI-RS resource being associated with a first cell and the second CSI-RS resource being associated with a second cell; and transmitting CSI-RS signaling on the configured first CSI-RS resource. In some embodiments, a method implemented in a wireless device, WD, includes receiving a configuration of a first channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS, resource in a set of candidate CSI-RS resources, the first CSI-RS resource partially overlapping a second CSI-RS resource in the set of candidate CSI-RS resources.