Multi-Slot Channel Inference for 5G NR Coverage Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining adequate coverage quality in 5G NR networks, particularly at higher frequencies, has not been thoroughly evaluated, and there is a lack of clarity on how to support joint channel estimation across multiple slots and indicate transmissions without reference signals, as well as early terminate PUSCH repetitions.
Innovation Solution
A network device informs a terminal device of inferring relations between channels associated with different slots using DCI or RRC indications, and can signal the omission of reference signals in certain slots to enhance coverage by allowing joint channel estimation and early termination of transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If joint channel estimation across multiple slots is implemented, then coverage quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional signaling and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device autonomously determines whether to perform joint channel estimation by checking if the inferring relation indication is present in the DCI format. When the indication is absent, the device assumes channels are inferable and performs joint estimation without additional network signaling, enabling self-service operation that improves coverage while avoiding excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial joint channel estimation by allowing it only when explicitly indicated by the network through specific DCI formats. This partial implementation balances the benefit of improved coverage with the cost of signaling overhead, applying the principle of doing just enough to solve the problem without excessive complexity
2Measurement precision
If reference signals are transmitted in every slot, then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but data transmission resources are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts reference signal transmissions from every slot and removes them in slots where joint channel estimation is applied. By taking out the reference signals from specific slots and relying on channel inferability, the system reduces signaling overhead and increases data transmission resources while maintaining adequate channel estimation accuracy through the joint estimation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges channel estimation information across multiple slots by implementing joint channel estimation. Instead of estimating channels independently in each slot, the system combines channel information from multiple slots, allowing reference signals to be omitted in some slots while maintaining overall estimation accuracy, thus balancing measurement precision with resource efficiency
3Reliability
If PUSCH repetitions are completed as scheduled, then transmission reliability is improved, but transmission time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback-based early termination where the network device monitors the completion status of PUSCH repetitions and sends termination indications to the terminal device. When the network determines that sufficient reliability has been achieved, it provides feedback to stop remaining repetitions, thus reducing transmission time while maintaining adequate reliability through the feedback mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the PUSCH repetition process dynamic by allowing early termination based on network conditions and reception status. Instead of a fixed rigid schedule, the system dynamically adjusts the number of repetitions executed, enabling the transmission to adapt to actual channel conditions and network requirements, thereby reducing unnecessary transmission time while preserving reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for coverage enhancement. In a method for communication, a terminal device receives, from a network device, information on an inferring relation between a first channel associated with a first slot and a second channel associated with a second slot. The terminal device determines, based on the information, whether the first and second channels are to be inferable from each other. In accordance with a determination that the first and second channels are to be inferable from each other, the terminal device performs communications with the network device on the first and second channels based on the inferring relation. Embodiments of the present disclosure effectively enhance coverage of communications, thereby improving communication performance.