Frequency Pre-compensation for High-Speed Train Reference Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-speed train single frequency networks, the Doppler effect causes reference signals to be perceived at incorrect frequencies by user equipment, leading to acquisition failures due to excessive Doppler shift, which exceeds the pull-in range of existing tracking loops.

Innovation Solution

Base stations apply frequency pre-compensation to reference signals on a per-beam or per-panel basis to align them within the UE's tracking loop range, using different pre-compensation values for each transmission and indicating these values to the UE to facilitate effective channel estimation and signal acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reference signals are transmitted without frequency pre-compensation in a high-speed train single frequency network, then the transmission process is simple, but the Doppler shift causes the UE to perceive signals at incorrect frequencies leading to acquisition failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal acquisition reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs frequency pre-compensation on reference signals before transmission by applying a pre-calculated frequency offset that anticipates the Doppler shift. This preliminary adjustment ensures that when the signal experiences Doppler effect during transmission, the UE receives the signal at the correct frequency, enabling successful acquisition while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies a counteracting frequency offset to the transmitted reference signal that pre-compensates for the expected Doppler shift. By introducing this opposite frequency adjustment before transmission, the net effect at the receiver is that the Doppler shift is neutralized, allowing the UE to acquire signals reliably even at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If frequency pre-compensation is applied to reference signals, then the UE can acquire signals effectively, but the base station must calculate and indicate pre-compensation values increasing processing overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal acquisition reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station calculates frequency pre-compensation values in advance based on known system parameters such as UE velocity and signal frequency, before the actual reference signal transmission occurs. This preliminary calculation allows the compensation to be applied without adding significant processing delay during the critical signal acquisition phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the UE reports channel state information and velocity data to the base station, which then adjusts the frequency pre-compensation values accordingly. This feedback loop enables the base station to optimize compensation values based on actual conditions, improving acquisition reliability while minimizing unnecessary processing overhead through adaptive rather than exhaustive computation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the effective Doppler spread of reference signals, allowing UEs to acquire signals more efficiently and reducing search and processing overhead, thereby ensuring reliable communication even at high speeds.

Implementation Method 1

As the UE moves rapidly toward a TRP, the UE may perceive reference signals originating at the TRP at a higher frequency than expected because of the Doppler effect. Similarly, as the UE moves rapidly away from a TRP, the UE may perceive reference signals originating at the TRP at a lower frequency than expected because of the Doppler effect.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4133678B1Frequency pre-compensation for high-speed train single frequency networks
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4133678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4133678B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4133678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Wireless communication devices, systems, and methods related to mechanisms for transmitting and receiving reference signals in a high-speed train (HST) single frequency network (SFN). A base station (BS) determines a first frequency pre-compensation value for a reference signal transmitted via a first transmission and reception point (TRP) and a second frequency pre-compensation value for a reference signal via a second TRP. The BS notifies a user equipment (UE) of the first and second pre-compensation values through at least one of the TRPs. The BS applies the first pre-compensation value to the reference signal via the first TRP and the second pre-compensation value to the reference signal via the second TRP. The UE adjusts its tracking loop for the reference signal based on the pre-compensation values, reducing estimation and/or search overhead at the UE.