Discovery Reference Signal Design for Fast Cell Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, such as LTE, face challenges in efficiently detecting and measuring multiple cells, especially in dense small cell environments, where conventional methods are slow and inadequate for fast time-scale operations and accurate cell detection.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) that combines PSS/SSS with CSI-RS, allowing for faster cell detection and measurement within a subframe unit, supporting coarse time and frequency synchronization, and enabling detection of multiple cells, including small cells, with improved accuracy and reduced timing and frequency errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional cell detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but cell detection speed and measurement accuracy deteriorate in dense small cell environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell detection speedVSAvoiddetection method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), and Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) into a unified Discovery Reference Signal (DRS) structure. This merging allows the terminal to perform cell detection, synchronization, and channel quality measurement simultaneously within a single subframe, dramatically improving detection speed while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized signal processing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Discovery Reference Signal (DRS) serves multiple functions: cell detection, coarse time synchronization, coarse frequency synchronization, and channel quality measurement. By designing a universal signal structure that performs all these functions together, the patent eliminates the need for separate detection procedures, thereby improving overall detection speed without requiring multiple specialized detection mechanisms.

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

2Measurement precision

If conventional measurement methods are used, then measurement procedure simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy for multiple cells deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges cell detection and channel quality measurement into a single DRS reception process. The terminal measures both synchronization accuracy and channel quality (CSI) from the same signal structure, enabling simultaneous acquisition of multiple cells with improved accuracy while using standardized measurement procedures that do not significantly increase processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DRS is transmitted in advance in a discoverable manner, allowing terminals to perform measurements on multiple cells before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary measurement capability enables the terminal to identify suitable cells for data offloading and to prepare measurement results ahead of time, improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex real-time measurement procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If DRS is transmitted in every subframe, then detectability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell detectabilityVSAvoidterminal energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of Discovery Reference Signals (DRS) at configured intervals rather than in every subframe. This periodic transmission maintains reliable cell detectability by providing regular measurement opportunities while significantly reducing the terminal's energy consumption compared to continuous transmission, as the terminal can enter low-power states between DRS occasions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3116150B1Method for receiving discovery reference signal by terminal in wireless communication system and device therefor
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3116150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3116150B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3116150B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention is a method for receiving a discovery reference signal by a terminal in a wireless communication system. Particularly, the method comprises the steps of: receiving discovery reference signal configuration information through an upper layer; blind-detecting at least one discovery reference signal on the basis of the configuration information; and transmitting/receiving a signal to/from a small cell corresponding to the detected at least one discovery signal and a serving cell, wherein the discovery reference signal configuration information includes information on a candidate parameter set of the discovery reference signal.