Multi-Structure Reference Signals for IoT Collision Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially for IoT applications with massive connections, existing solutions face challenges in resource efficiency due to sporadic and small data packages leading to high signaling overhead, congestion in the control channel, and collisions in grant-free transmission, particularly in scenarios like 5G mMTC, where pre-configuration is impractical and collision detection is limited.

Innovation Solution

A multi-structure reference signal design is introduced, where multiple reference signals with different structures are used, allowing random selection of time-frequency resources for some signals while independent content selection for others, effectively expanding the reference signal pool size and enabling collision detection, thereby reducing collisions and improving resource efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple reference signals with different structures are used to expand the reference signal pool size, then collision probability is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision probabilityVSAvoidreference signal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference signal pool is segmented into multiple distinct structures (first reference signal structure and second reference signal structure), each with different properties. User equipment can select from these segmented structures to transmit random access signals, thereby expanding the overall pool size and reducing collision probability while maintaining manageable individual structure complexities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional dimension of differentiation between reference signals by using multiple distinct structures beyond just increasing the number of signals within a single structure type. This dimensional expansion (from quantity to structural diversity) significantly enlarges the reference signal pool size and reduces collisions among connected devices.

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

2Productivity

If pre-configuration is used for grant-free transmission, then resource efficiency is improved, but adaptability to massive connections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidsupport for massive connections
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic selection between different reference signal structures based on connection requirements. For massive machine-type communications, user equipment can dynamically choose from multiple reference signal structures without pre-configuration, allowing the system to adapt to varying connection densities and data patterns while maintaining resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of reference signal structure type as a variable that can be selected based on connection characteristics. By offering multiple structure types with different properties (e.g., different time-frequency patterns, different lengths), the system can adapt to massive connections without requiring pre-configuration for each specific scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3831024B1Multi-structure reference signals
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 ZTE CORP
  • EP3831024B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3831024B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3831024B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method of wireless communication includes generating, based on a mapping rule, at least two reference signals and transmitting, by a wireless communication device, the at least two reference signals using different symbols in a transmit time interval. Another method of wireless communication includes transmitting, to one or more wireless devices in a wireless network, information indicative of a mapping rule that specifies a mapping between at least two random access reference signal transmissions from the one or more wireless devices.