DCI Segmentation for Interference Suppression in MU-MIMO

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless cellular communication systems, interference from intra-cell and inter-cell sources limits performance, particularly in Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) modes, where existing systems face challenges in effectively suppressing interference due to the complexity of operational flows and the need for sophisticated receivers.

Innovation Solution

The method involves selecting and transmitting different types of Downlink Control Information (DCI), where one type includes parameters of interference signals, allowing receivers to decode and suppress interference, thereby simplifying interference suppression and reducing data processing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transmitter schedules multiple UEs to transmit over the same time and frequency resource in MU-MIMO mode, then system capacity and spectral efficiency are improved, but intra-cell interference increases between paired UEs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidintra-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful intra-cell interference into a beneficial signal by having the interfering UE transmit null data packets (NDPs) that can be processed by the target UE's sophisticated receiver to generate interference cancellation signals, thereby transforming the interference problem into an opportunity for interference suppression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the interfering UE acts as a source of interference cancellation signals through NDP transmission, enabling the target UE to reconstruct and cancel the interference signal without requiring direct coordination between the transmitter and receiver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a sophisticated receiver is used to suppress interference, then signal reception quality is improved, but device complexity and operational flow complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception qualityVSAvoidreceiver complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interference suppression process into distinct functional modules: NDP reception module, channel estimation module, interference signal reconstruction module, and interference cancellation module, allowing the sophisticated receiver to process interference suppression in a structured and manageable manner

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the interfering UE transmit NDPs before the actual data transmission, allowing the target UE to pre-estimate the interference channel and prepare interference cancellation signals in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time interference suppression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If DCI includes parameters of interference signals, then the receiver can suppress interference more effectively, but the data transmission load and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference suppression capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the interference signal parameters from the general DCI structure into a separate and dedicated field, allowing the receiver to selectively process interference suppression information without parsing the entire DCI message, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining effective interference suppression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4167509A1Control information sending method and receiving method, sender and receiver
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4167509A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4167509A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4167509A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a control information sending method and receiving method, a sender and a receiver, which are used for sending DCIs corresponding to DCI types to the receiver, thereby improving simplicity of interference suppression performed by the receiver. In the embodiments of the present application, a sender flexibly and optionally sends a first class of DCIs and/or a second class of DCIs. On one hand, when a receiver performs interference suppression on received interference signals, parameters of interference signals comprised in DCIs corresponding to a type of a received second class of DCIs can be used for interference suppression, thereby improving simplicity of interference suppression performed by the receiver; and on the other hand, when the receiver does not perform interference suppression on the received interference signals, a sender can send DCIs corresponding to a type of a first class of DCIs, and the first class of DCIs does not comprise the parameters of an interference signals, thereby reducing load capacity of data transmission and further reducing data processing complexity of the receiver.