Reference Signal Transmission with Discontinuous Frequency Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

The SRS pattern in LTE fails to meet the requirements of NR due to excessive time delays and inadequate frequency hopping adaptations.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for determining and transmitting reference signals with discontinuous frequency bands and utilizing physical layer dynamic control signaling to adapt frequency hopping patterns, ensuring efficient frequency domain position allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If frequency hopping mode of LTE is used for 100 MHz bandwidth, then frequency coverage is improved, but time delay becomes excessively long (100 SRS time domain symbols needed)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidtime delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency domain into multiple bands and transmits reference signals in discontinuous frequency positions rather than continuously. This segmentation allows the terminal to scan through frequency bands more efficiently, reducing the total number of SRS time domain symbols needed from 100 to a much smaller number, thereby resolving the time delay issue while maintaining frequency coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control signaling that allows flexible adjustment of frequency hopping patterns and reference signal transmission parameters. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to adapt to different bandwidth configurations (e.g., 100 MHz vs. 1 MHz) and optimize transmission time accordingly, resolving the contradiction between frequency coverage and time delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If LTE SRS pattern is used, then backward compatibility is maintained, but adaptability to NR requirements is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidadaptability to NR requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a reference signal transmission method that serves multiple functions: it maintains compatibility with LTE while simultaneously supporting NR requirements. The discontinuous frequency band transmission and dynamic control mechanisms work universally across both LTE and NR systems, enabling a single solution to address both backward compatibility and forward adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key transmission parameters including frequency domain position selection, hopping patterns, and time domain symbol allocation. These parameter modifications enable the same reference signal mechanism to adapt to different system requirements (LTE vs. NR) without requiring completely separate transmission schemes, thus achieving both compatibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If continuous frequency bands are used for reference signal transmission, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but frequency band location efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission simplicityVSAvoidfrequency band location efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments continuous frequency bands into discontinuous frequency positions for reference signal transmission. This segmentation strategy, combined with the scanning mechanism, dramatically improves frequency band location efficiency by reducing the search space and enabling faster identification of preferred frequency bands, while the systematic segmentation approach maintains operational simplicity through rule-based selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3675404B1Reference signal transmission and parameter sending methods, device, terminal and base station
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 ZTE CORP
  • EP3675404B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3675404B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3675404B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a reference signal transmission method and device, a parameter sending method and device, a terminal and a base station. The reference signal transmission method includes: determining that frequency domain positions occupied by a reference signal satisfy a predetermined condition, where the predetermined condition includes: discontinuous frequency bands existing among the frequency domain positions occupied by the reference signal; and transmitting the reference signal at the determined frequency domain positions.