MIMO Pilot Symbol Mapping for Multi-Stream Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 3GPP LTE MIMO communication system is limited in its ability to transmit multiple data streams using UE-specific downlink reference signals, as the current structure can only transmit a single data stream and cannot be easily extended to support multiple data streams.

Innovation Solution

The method involves mapping pilot symbols to a subframe where user-specific pilot symbols, recognizable only by the second UE, are transmitted, with cell-specific pilot symbols for transmission antenna ports 0 to N-1 recognizable by both UEs and user-specific pilot symbols for ports N to M-1 recognizable only by the second UE, which are cyclically shifted in the time or frequency domain, allowing for the transmission of multiple data streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the existing 3GPP LTE MIMO system uses UE-specific downlink reference signals, then a single data stream can be transmitted, but the system cannot transmit multiple data streams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata stream transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem extension flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference signal structure by introducing two types of reference signals: cell-specific reference signals (CRS) for channel estimation and UE-specific reference signals (URS) for demodulation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain backward compatibility with single-stream transmission while enabling multi-stream transmission through the additional URS structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the reference signal structure by adding a new dimension - UE-specific reference signals that are orthogonal to cell-specific reference signals. This is achieved through orthogonal resource allocation in time-frequency domains and code division multiplexing, allowing the system to transmit multiple data streams without interfering with the existing single-stream structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If pilot symbols are transmitted for all transmission antenna ports, then channel measurement accuracy improves, but pilot symbol overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel measurement accuracyVSAvoidpilot symbol overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making reference signal transmission adaptive to the specific UE's needs. UE-specific reference signals are transmitted only to UEs that require them for demodulation, while cell-specific reference signals are transmitted for general channel estimation. This localized approach ensures that pilot overhead is incurred only where necessary, rather than uniformly across all transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cell-specific reference signals serve multiple functions: they provide channel estimation for all UEs and enable demodulation for UEs that do not require UE-specific reference signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional pilot symbols, as the CRS structure is leveraged to serve multiple purposes, thereby reducing overall pilot overhead

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

Data Source

PatentEP2346188B1Method and device for pilot symbol transmission in downlink MIMO system
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2346188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2346188B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2346188B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a pilot signal in a downlink MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output) system that supports a first UE (User Equipment) supporting N number of transmission antennae out of a total of M transmission antennae and supports a second UE supporting said M (M>N) number of transmission antennae. Said method comprises a step wherein a pilot symbol is placed as an image in the resource block (RB) region on a subframe that enables the transmission of a user-specific pilot symbol to said second UE in a base station; and a step wherein the subframe whereon said pilot symbol has been placed as an image is transmitted, wherein said RB region includes a first region and a second region, and the first region and the second region each include a certain number of continuous OFDM symbols on a respective time axis, and on said first region is placed as an image a cell-specific pilot symbol with respect to the transmission antenna ports 0 to N-1 that can recognize both said first UE and said second UE, and on said second region is placed as an image a user-specific pilot symbol with respect to the transmission antenna ports 0 to M that can recognize said UE only.