Dynamic Reference Signal Configuration for URLLC Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current downlink reference signal designs in LTE are inadequate for ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC) services, leading to inefficient data transmission due to high reference signal overheads and limited adaptability to new service scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A data transmission method that adjusts the time-frequency resource configuration of reference signals, allowing for reduced reference signal overheads by indicating different time-frequency resources for initial and retransmitted data, and optionally omitting reference signals during retransmissions, thereby improving channel estimation accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If reference signals are transmitted in every retransmission, then channel estimation accuracy is maintained, but reference signal overhead increases and data transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidreference signal overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the reference signal transmission dynamic rather than static. The network device determines whether to transmit reference signals in retransmissions based on channel conditions and service requirements. For URLLC services with stable channels, reference signals are omitted in retransmissions to reduce overhead. For services requiring higher reliability or experiencing channel variations, reference signals are transmitted selectively, achieving adaptive optimization of the trade-off between channel estimation accuracy and reference signal overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of reference signal presence/absence based on different transmission scenarios. By introducing a indication parameter that specifies whether reference signals are transmitted in retransmissions, the system can flexibly adjust reference signal overhead while maintaining adequate channel estimation accuracy for different service types and channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If reference signals are omitted in retransmissions, then reference signal overhead is reduced and data transmission efficiency improves, but channel estimation accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts reference signal transmission based on channel stability and service requirements. For URLLC services with stable channels, reference signals are omitted in retransmissions to maximize data transmission efficiency. When channel conditions warrant, reference signals are transmitted selectively, ensuring channel estimation accuracy is maintained when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing channel estimation using reference signals in the initial transmission. This preliminary channel estimation result is then reused for demodulating retransmitted data, eliminating the need for additional reference signals in retransmissions while maintaining channel estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If LTE downlink reference signal design is used, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but adaptability to new services like URLLC is limited and data transmission efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to new servicesVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing flexible configuration of reference signal transmission in retransmissions through indication information. This enables the system to adapt to new services like URLLC by selectively omitting reference signals in retransmissions when channel conditions permit, significantly improving data transmission efficiency while maintaining compatibility with existing LTE systems through optional reference signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by designing a reference signal transmission mechanism that can serve multiple service types. The same framework supports both traditional services (with continuous reference signal transmission for high reliability) and new services like URLLC (with selective reference signal omission for high efficiency), making the system universally applicable across different service requirements.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3553989B1Data transmission method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3553989B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3553989B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3553989B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a data transmission method and an apparatus. The method includes: sending, by a first device, first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a time-frequency resource of a first reference signal, and the first reference signal is used to perform channel estimation on retransmitted data of first data; and sending, by the first device, the retransmitted data. When the time-frequency resource that is occupied by the reference signal and that is indicated by the first indication information is less than a time-frequency resource occupied by a reference signal used for the initial transmission of the first data, reference signal overheads can be reduced, and reference signal resource configuration flexibility and data transmission efficiency are improved.