Dynamic PTRS Activation for Accurate Phase Tracking in NR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in NR and LTE, face challenges in efficiently managing phase tracking reference signals (PTRS) due to the lack of dynamic adaptation to varying channel conditions, leading to suboptimal phase noise estimation and performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dynamic signaling to activate or update PTRS parameters for physical uplink and downlink shared channels, allowing flexible configuration of PTRS presence and density based on modulation and coding schemes and bandwidth, enhancing phase noise estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If PTRS parameters are statically configured, then device complexity is reduced, but phase tracking accuracy deteriorates under varying channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase tracking accuracyVSAvoidPTRS configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PTRS activation where the network entity controls whether PTRS is present in PUSCH/PDSCH transmissions through dynamic signaling. This allows the system to adapt PTRS configuration to varying channel conditions, improving phase tracking accuracy when needed while maintaining simplicity when channel conditions are stable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of PTRS presence/absence dynamically through network signaling. By controlling whether PTRS is activated or deactivated based on channel conditions, the system optimizes phase tracking performance without requiring complex permanent configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If PTRS density is increased, then phase noise estimation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase noise estimation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the parameter of PTRS density through network-controlled activation. By adjusting whether PTRS is present based on current channel conditions and requirements, the system achieves optimal phase noise estimation accuracy while minimizing unnecessary signaling overhead that would result from always-high density configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12470339B2Dynamic phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) activation

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE). The method generally includes receiving dynamic signaling from a network entity of an indication to activate or update a set of phase tracking reference signals (PTRS) parameters, and processing PTRS for at least one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), in accordance with the indication.