Multiplexing CSI-RS and DMRS Ports to Reduce Pilot Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of ports for reference signals in 5G mobile communications systems leads to higher pilot overheads, which negatively impact system performance.

Innovation Solution

The method involves multiplexing CSI-RS and DMRS ports using a frequency division multiplexing approach, allowing for reduced pilot overheads by sharing resources and optimizing channel measurement and data demodulation processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the quantity of ports for reference signal increases to support more layers in MIMO multiplexing, then the channel measurement capability and data demodulation performance are improved, but the pilot overheads increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel measurement capabilityVSAvoidpilot overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling DMRS ports to serve dual purposes: both data demodulation and CSI-RS channel measurement. The base station configures the terminal to reuse DMRS resources for channel measurement, allowing the same physical resources to fulfill multiple functions and thereby reducing the need for separate CSI-RS resources.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of CSI-RS and DMRS by allowing the terminal to use DMRS ports for both data demodulation and channel measurement. This consolidation combines previously separate resource allocations into a unified approach, reducing overall pilot overhead while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the quantity of ports for reference signal increases to improve spectral efficiency, then the system performance is enhanced, but the resource consumption and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidresource configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables DMRS ports to perform multiple functions including data demodulation and channel measurement, reducing the need for separate reference signal resources and thereby simplifying overall resource configuration while improving spectral efficiency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of existing DMRS ports by configuring them to support additional channel measurement functions. This parameter change allows existing resources to be utilized more efficiently without adding new signal types or increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3570479B1Information indication method, device, and system
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3570479B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3570479B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3570479B1 patent drawingFigure 4-1

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an information indication method, a device, and a system, to reduce pilot overheads caused by a reference signal. The method includes: determining, by a base station, that a port used to transmit a first reference signal and a port used to transmit a second reference signal are multiplexed; sending, by the base station, the first reference signal and/or the second reference signal on a multiplexed port; and generating, by the base station, information indicating multiplexing of the port, and sending the information indicating multiplexing. This application is applicable to the field of communications technologies.