Flexible SRS Hopping for Partial Frequency Sounding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current SRS hopping structures are not flexible enough, as sub-bands can only be sounded in fixed orders, limiting SRS coverage and capacity enhancements proposed in 3GPP RAN#86 discussions, particularly for partial sounding across frequency which lacks specification.

Innovation Solution

Transmission of SRS hopping parameters and a partial sounding parameter from a network device to a terminal device, indicating bandwidth configuration and enabling partial sounding across frequency, allowing for flexible SRS communication by reducing the number of resource blocks needed for SRS transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-order SRS hopping structure is used, then SRS communication is standardized, but flexibility in sub-band sounding is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in sub-band soundingVSAvoidSRS hopping structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the SRS hopping structure configurable rather than fixed. The network device can dynamically select and configure different hopping patterns (first pattern with contiguous sub-carriers, second pattern with non-contiguous sub-carriers) based on channel conditions and requirements, transforming the static standardized structure into an adaptive system that balances flexibility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the SRS hopping structure, specifically the sub-carrier spacing and hopping pattern selection. By introducing configurable parameters such as the sub-carrier spacing indicator and hopping pattern selection, the system can adjust the density and distribution of sub-bands sounded, enabling flexible adaptation to different coverage and capacity requirements without fundamentally changing the standardized framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If full frequency bandwidth is sounded, then complete channel coverage is achieved, but frequency resources consumed increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel coverage completenessVSAvoidfrequency resources for SRS

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allowing the network device to configure only a subset of sub-bands for SRS sounding instead of requiring full bandwidth coverage. The terminal device transmits SRS on configured sub-bands within the available bandwidth, achieving sufficient channel coverage for the specific service requirement while consuming fewer frequency resources. This partial sounding approach trades complete coverage for resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the frequency bandwidth into multiple sub-bands and allows selective configuration of which sub-bands are sounded. Instead of treating the bandwidth as a single unit, the system divides it into manageable sub-bands that can be independently configured, enabling the network to sound only the necessary portions of the spectrum required for the current communication needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If more resource blocks are allocated for SRS, then SRS capacity increases, but available resources for data transmission decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSRS capacityVSAvoidavailable resources for data

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the SRS configuration parameters, specifically the sub-carrier spacing and hopping pattern, to optimize the trade-off between SRS capacity and data resources. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve adequate channel sounding capability with fewer resource blocks, thereby preserving more resources for data transmission while maintaining necessary SRS functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230239088A1Method, device and computer storage medium for communication

Publication Date: 2023.07.27 NEC CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, devices and computer storage media for communication. A method comprises transmitting, from a network device, Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) hopping parameters and a partial sounding parameter to a terminal device, wherein the SRS hopping parameters indicate a bandwidth configuration for SRS communication and the partial sounding parameter indicates whether partial sounding across frequency is enabled or not; and receiving SRS sequences from the terminal device based on the SRS hopping parameters and the partial sounding parameter. Embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve flexible partial sounding across frequency.