NR Frame Structure for Beam-Swept Control and Grant Resources

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing New Radio (NR) technologies face challenges in beam-centric architectures for uplink and downlink control channels, resource allocation for Demodulation Reference Signals (DMRS) and Tracking Reference Signals (TRS), and Channel State Information Interference Channel Measurement (CSI-ICM) due to undefined protocols, phase noise, and increased computational burden.

Innovation Solution

Implement mechanisms for enhanced reference signal and control channel designs, including dynamic resource allocation, beam-specific and UE-specific RS configurations, and two-step CSI-ICM configuration to reduce latency and overhead, supporting multiple beams and numerologies, and interference cancellation for MU-MIMO.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If CSI-ICM resources are allocated for each interference hypothesis to enable interference measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to exponential growth in resource requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interference measurement process by dividing interference hypotheses into groups and allocating separate CSI-ICM resource sets to each group. This allows the system to handle multiple interference hypotheses without requiring a single resource for every possible hypothesis combination, thereby reducing the exponential growth of resources while maintaining measurement precision through targeted measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary classification of interference hypotheses into groups before allocating resources. By pre-organizing hypotheses based on their characteristics and relationships, the system can allocate resources more efficiently at a higher level (group level rather than individual hypothesis level), reducing overall system complexity while preserving measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple CSI-ICM resources are allocated to support multiple interference hypotheses, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended measurement and processing duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting interference hypotheses into groups with shared resource sets, the patent enables parallel measurement processes. Multiple groups can be measured simultaneously using their respective resource sets, reducing the total time required compared to sequential measurement of all individual hypotheses, while still maintaining precision through dedicated resources for each group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple interference hypotheses into groups that share common CSI-ICM resource sets. This combining approach allows the system to measure multiple hypotheses using a consolidated resource allocation strategy, reducing the overall measurement time while preserving the ability to distinguish and measure each hypothesis group's interference characteristics with adequate precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If beam-centric architecture is implemented for control channels, then adaptability is improved for directional communication, but device complexity increases due to multiple beam management protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam adaptabilityVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing control channel structures and resource allocation mechanisms that work across multiple beams and directions. Rather than creating separate management protocols for each beam, the system uses unified frameworks that can handle directional communication requirements universally, reducing the complexity of managing multiple beam-specific protocols while maintaining adaptability to different beam configurations.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3520243B1Frame structure in nr
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3520243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3520243B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3520243B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present application at least describes a frame structure in new radio. The frame structure includes a self-contained transmission time interval. The transmission time interval includes a control information region including plural beams. The interval also includes a downlink transmission channel region including plural beams. The frame structure is configured for downlink control information to be swept through the time interval. The frame structure is also configured for an uplink or downlink grant resource subsequently to be swept through the time interval. The present application is also directed to a method for configuring user equipment.