Dynamic PTRS Configuration for Lower 5G Resource Overhead

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently configuring phase tracking reference signals (PTRS) due to fixed patterns that lead to high resource overheads and inflexibility in handling varying modulation and coding schemes and bandwidths, especially in high-frequency networks like 5G, which exacerbates phase noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A method to dynamically configure PTRS patterns based on modulation and coding schemes, scheduled resource block quantities, and phase noise factors, allowing for flexible adjustment in time and frequency domains to reduce resource usage and improve spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed configuration mode for PTRS patterns is used, then implementation is simple, but resource overheads are high and flexibility is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in PTRS configurationVSAvoidresource overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed PTRS patterns to dynamic configuration. The network device determines PTRS patterns based on real-time conditions including phase noise levels, modulation and coding schemes, and scheduled bandwidth. This allows the system to adapt PTRS density and distribution dynamically, reducing resource overhead when phase noise is low while maintaining adequate coverage when phase noise is high.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of PTRS configuration including time domain density, frequency domain density, and resource element offsets based on communication conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to phase noise characteristics and scheduling requirements, the system achieves flexible adaptation without fixed constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If PTRS density is increased to improve phase noise compensation, then phase noise error compensation performance is improved, but resource overheads increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase noise error compensation performanceVSAvoidresource overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts PTRS parameters including time domain density and frequency domain density based on phase noise characteristics. When phase noise impact is high, the system increases PTRS density to improve compensation performance. When phase noise impact is low, the system reduces density to minimize resource overhead, achieving optimal balance between reliability and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static PTRS configuration to dynamic adjustment based on real-time phase noise measurements and communication conditions. The network device determines appropriate PTRS patterns dynamically, allowing the density to adapt to actual needs rather than maintaining constant high density for all scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If PTRS patterns are configured for high data bandwidth with many subcarriers, then coverage is improved, but resource overheads become relatively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth coverageVSAvoidresource overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring PTRS patterns with different frequency domain densities in different bandwidth scenarios. For high data bandwidth with many subcarriers, the system optimizes the frequency domain density to provide adequate coverage without uniformly increasing density across all subcarriers. This localized optimization reduces overall resource overhead while maintaining necessary coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically determines PTRS frequency domain density based on scheduled bandwidth and number of subcarriers. Rather than using fixed high density for all bandwidth scenarios, the density is adjusted dynamically to match the actual bandwidth requirements, reducing resource overhead in high bandwidth scenarios while maintaining adequate phase noise compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3860028B1Wireless communication method and wireless communications apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3860028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3860028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3860028B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a wireless communication method and a wireless communications apparatus, to flexibly configure a phase tracking reference signal to reduce a quantity of subcarriers occupied by the phase tracking reference signal and reduce resource overheads. The method includes: determining, by a network device, a pattern of a phase tracking reference signal based on at least one of a modulation and coding scheme threshold that is corresponding to the pattern of the phase tracking reference signal and requested by a terminal device, a scheduled resource block quantity threshold corresponding to the phase tracking reference signal requested by the terminal device, and a factor of impact of phase noise of the terminal device on a signal received by the terminal device and at least one of a modulation and coding scheme currently scheduled by the network device for the terminal device and bandwidth currently scheduled by the network device for the terminal; and sending the phase tracking reference signal to the terminal device based on the determined pattern of the phase tracking reference signal.