Flexible CSI-RS to SRS Mapping for Uplink MIMO Multi-Beam

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, lack support for multiple beams in uplink MIMO due to rigid CSI-RS and SRS association, which limits performance in scenarios like partial channel reciprocity, asymmetric interference, and carrier aggregation.

Innovation Solution

Implement flexible CSI-RS and SRS association methods that allow for multiple beams on the uplink by configuring SRSs based on reception settings and transmission settings, enabling 1:1, X:1, and 1:X mapping configurations with CSI-RSs, and controlling transmission settings within a correlation threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If rigid CSI-RS and SRS association is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but uplink MIMO performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiduplink MIMO performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic association between CSI-RS and SRS resources, allowing the system to adaptively configure mapping relationships (1:1, X:1, or 1:X) based on channel conditions and interference characteristics. This dynamic configuration enables the system to optimize uplink MIMO performance while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If single beam configuration is used, then configuration complexity is reduced, but performance in partial channel reciprocity scenarios is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration complexityVSAvoidperformance in partial channel reciprocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink transmission into multiple beams, each associated with specific CSI-RS resources. By configuring multiple SRS resources with different spatial filters and associating them with different CSI-RS resources, the system can handle partial channel reciprocity scenarios where different beams experience different channel conditions, thereby improving overall performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different beams to have different transmission settings and spatial characteristics. Each SRS resource can be configured with specific spatial filters, power control parameters, and association rules tailored to local channel conditions, enabling optimized performance for each beam while managing complexity through modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible mapping configurations (1:1, X:1, 1:X) are implemented, then adaptability to different scenarios is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different scenariosVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mapping configurations where the association between CSI-RS and SRS resources can be flexibly set to 1:1, X:1, or 1:X relationships. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize for different scenarios (full reciprocity, partial reciprocity, asymmetric interference) while maintaining standardized configuration procedures that prevent excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4098045B1Flexible channel state information reference signal and sounding reference signal association for uplink multiple-input multiple- output
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4098045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4098045B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4098045B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment may determine a set of sounding reference signals (SRSs) based at least in part on a mapping configuration, the mapping configuration being associated with mapping the set of SRSs to a set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) received by the UE, and the set of CSI-RSs being received based at least in part on a set of reception settings, each associated with a respective CSI-RS of the set of CSI-RSs; determine, based at least in part on the set of reception settings, a set of transmission settings, each corresponding to a respective SRS of the set of SRSs; and transmit the set of SRSs based at least in part on the set of transmission settings. Numerous other aspects are provided.