CSI-RS Transmission in LTE Special Subframes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard, the implementation of reference signals for special subframes leads to collisions between Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) and Demodulation Reference Signals (DM-RS), and CSI-RS transmission outside the downlink portion of the special subframe, causing interference and unavailability issues.

Innovation Solution

The method involves shifting the CSI-RS pattern in special subframes to avoid collisions with DM-RS and ensuring CSI-RS transmission remains within the downlink portion of the special subframe by considering transmission priority, partial or conditional transmission based on conflict regions, and adjusting the CSI-RS pattern validity across all subframes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If CSI-RS pattern is adjusted for special subframe, then CSI-RS transmission is enabled in special subframe, but collision with DM-RS occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCSI-RS transmission availabilityVSAvoidcollision with DM-RS
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the CSI-RS pattern configuration specific to special subframes rather than using a uniform pattern for all subframes. The eNB configures different CSI-RS patterns (first pattern for normal subframes, second pattern for special subframes) to locally adapt to the specific timing structure of special subframes, thereby avoiding collision with DM-RS while enabling CSI-RS transmission in these subframes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the CSI-RS pattern configurable and adaptable based on the subframe type. The system dynamically selects between different CSI-RS patterns depending on whether the current subframe is a normal subframe or a special subframe, allowing the reference signal configuration to change flexibly according to the varying timing requirements of different subframe types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If CSI-RS pattern is adjusted for special subframe, then CSI-RS can be transmitted, but CSI-RS may fall outside downlink portion causing unavailability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCSI-RS transmission in special subframeVSAvoidCSI-RS availability within downlink portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring CSI-RS patterns specifically tailored for special subframes, taking into account the specific timing structure and downlink portion boundaries of these subframes. The second CSI-RS pattern is designed locally to match the special subframe structure, ensuring that CSI-RS resources fall within the downlink portion and are reliably available for channel state information acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If reference signal locations are adjusted in LTE-A for special subframe, then transmission is enabled, but collisions with other reference signals occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference signal transmission in special subframeVSAvoidcollision with other reference signals
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the CSI-RS configuration into distinct patterns for different subframe types. Instead of using a single reference signal pattern for all subframes, the system segments the configuration into a first CSI-RS pattern for normal subframes and a second CSI-RS pattern for special subframes, thereby avoiding collisions with other reference signals like DM-RS that have fixed positions in the time-frequency grid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3411982B1Method of CSI-RS transmission in special subframes
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 APPLE INC
  • EP3411982B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3411982B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3411982B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of implementing Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) in special subframes is disclosed. CSI-RS occupy predefined resource elements (REs) of a subframe, but for special subframes (which are used in Time-Division Duplexing), the predefined REs are shifted because the downlink portion of the special subframe does not occupy the entire subframe. The shift of CSI-RS can cause one of two problems: collision with Demodulation Reference Signals (DM-RS) and transmission of CSI-RS outside the downlink portion of the special subframe. The method of implementing CSI-RS in special subframes provides several possible solutions to these two problems.