Flexible Reference Signal Positioning in NR Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the New Radio (NR) system, the fixed position of reference signals is not suitable for rapidly changing channel conditions, leading to inefficiencies in uplink or downlink transmission due to the predefined or slowly changeable position of reference signals, which hinders accurate channel estimation and system transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method to accurately indicate a flexibly configured time domain resource for reference signals using low overheads, allowing terminal devices to determine the appropriate time domain resources for transmitting reference signals based on candidate resources indicated in downlink control information, which includes determining candidate resources from symbol configuration sets and configuring terminal devices to support flexible reference signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the position of reference signal is predefined or notified using higher layer signaling, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to rapidly changing channel conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the reference signal position to be dynamically indicated through downlink control information (DCI) rather than being fixed by higher layer signaling. The network device can flexibly adjust the reference signal position in each time unit according to current channel conditions, transforming the static configuration into a dynamic adaptation mechanism that responds to rapidly changing wireless environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter indication method from higher layer signaling to DCI-based indication. By using a compact indication field in DCI to specify the reference signal position from a pre-configured set of candidate positions, the system achieves faster adaptation to channel variations while maintaining manageable complexity through parameter optimization.
2Loss of information
If the reference signal position is fixed or changes slowly, then the overhead is reduced, but the channel estimation accuracy deteriorates under rapidly changing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by indicating only the necessary reference signal position information through a compact DCI field rather than transmitting complete configuration details. The network device selects from a pre-configured set of candidate positions, transmitting only the index or identifier, which reduces overhead while providing sufficient information for accurate channel estimation under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple candidate reference signal positions through higher layer signaling before actual transmission. This preparation allows the system to quickly adapt to changing channel conditions by simply indicating which pre-configured position to use, rather than negotiating new configurations in real-time, thus reducing overhead while maintaining accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reference signal position is flexibly configured, then the adaptability to channel conditions is improved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reference signal position configuration into two parts: a set of candidate positions pre-configured through higher layer signaling, and a compact indication in DCI that selects from these candidates. This segmentation allows flexible adaptation while controlling overhead, as the DCI only needs to indicate which candidate to use rather than specifying the complete position information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves dynamic flexibility through DCI-based indication of reference signal positions. The network device can adapt the reference signal position in each time unit based on current channel conditions, providing the necessary flexibility for rapidly changing environments while using efficient indication methods to control signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a communications method and apparatus. The method includes: obtaining one or more candidate time domain resources for transmitting a reference signal in one or more time units; and receiving downlink control information, where the downlink control information includes first indication information and transmission information of a first channel, and the first indication information is used to indicate different situations about time domain reference signal resources in the one or more time units. A network device can accurately indicate a flexibly configured time domain resource for transmitting a reference signal by using relatively low overheads, and a terminal device can accurately determine information about the flexibly configured time domain reference signal resource, thereby improving system transmission efficiency.