Dedicated DCI for Aperiodic CSI-RS Scheduling in New Radio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, such as 3GPP LTE Release 13, lack flexibility in aperiodic CSI-RS transmission, leading to inflexible scheduling of downlink and uplink directions over multiple subframes and inadequate support for aperiodic interference measurements.

Innovation Solution

Implementing aperiodic CSI-RS and CSI-IM triggering using dedicated DCI in both common and UE-specific search spaces, allowing for separate DCI indications of CSI-RS transmission and CSI report, with parameters like scheduled PRBs, starting OFDM symbols, and CSI-RS process indices to enhance flexibility and support for interference measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate DCI messages are used for CSI-RS scheduling and CSI reporting, then flexibility in scheduling is improved, but device complexity and signalling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidsignalling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines CSI-RS scheduling and CSI reporting triggers into a single DCI message. The DCI includes both the CSI-RS resource indication and the CSI reporting trigger, eliminating the need for separate DCI messages while maintaining scheduling flexibility through unified control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI message is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it schedules CSI-RS resources, triggers CSI reporting, and provides resource allocation information. This multi-functional approach reduces signalling overhead while maintaining the flexibility of separate control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If aperiodic CSI-RS transmission is implemented without dedicated triggering, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability for interference measurements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriggering mechanism complexityVSAvoidinterference measurement support
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures multiple CSI-RS resource sets and associated parameters through higher-layer signaling before actual transmission. This preliminary configuration enables flexible aperiodic triggering without complex real-time decision logic, supporting interference measurements while keeping triggering mechanisms simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic selection of CSI-RS resource sets based on transmission conditions and interference scenarios. The network can adaptively choose appropriate resource sets for different interference measurement needs, providing versatility without requiring complex triggering mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3520263B1Method of aperiodic CSI-RS indication for new radio
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 APPLE INC
  • EP3520263B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3520263B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3520263B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Technology for a base station configured for an aperiodic transmission indication of a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) is disclosed, comprising one or more processors. The base station can encode a first downlink control information (DCI) with CSI-RS scheduling for transmission to one or more user equipment (UE). The base station can encode a CSI-RS for transmission to the one or more UEs based on the CSI-RS scheduling. The base station encode a second DCI, for transmission to the one or more UEs, that includes an uplink grant for channel state information (CSI) feedback of the CSI-RS. The base station can decode the CSI feedback received from the one or more UEs upon transmission of the CSI-RS in the UL grant by the one or more UEs.