OFDM Reference Signal Muting Detection for Accurate PRS Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in accurately detecting muted or punctured Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) due to interference and lack of standardized muting patterns, leading to degraded positioning measurements and increased complexity for User Equipment (UEs).
Innovation Solution
A method for autonomously detecting whether a reference signal within an OFDM signal is muted or punctured by calculating comparison metrics from signal samples of resource elements that would normally carry the signal versus those that do not, allowing for adaptive reference signal measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reference signals are transmitted in heterogeneous networks with flexible muting configurations, then network adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference and muting detection difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network node pre-configure muting pattern information and transmit it to the UE before the actual positioning measurement takes place. This allows the UE to know in advance which resource elements will be muted, enabling the device to adjust its measurement strategy accordingly and avoid wasted measurements on muted signals, thus maintaining measurement precision while supporting flexible muting configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the network node receive measurement reports from the UE and use this information to optimize future muting configurations and resource allocations. The measurement reports provide feedback on the actual measurement quality and interference conditions, allowing the network to adjust muting patterns to improve positioning accuracy while maintaining network adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If muting patterns are made flexible to accommodate heterogeneous networks, then device complexity increases due to the need to detect and adapt to various muting configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The network node pre-configures and signals muting pattern information to the UE before measurements are performed. This preliminary provision of muting information eliminates the need for the UE to perform complex blind detection of muting patterns, significantly reducing device complexity while still allowing flexible muting configurations to be implemented in heterogeneous networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the UE to autonomously adjust its measurement behavior based on the received muting pattern information. The UE can independently determine which resource elements to measure and which to skip, reducing the processing burden and complexity while maintaining adaptability to different network configurations
3Measurement precision
If muting is applied to reduce interference on PRS, then measurement precision improves, but loss of information occurs when muting detection fails
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-configuring muting pattern information, the UE knows in advance which resource elements will be muted and can skip measurements on those elements. This prevents the UE from attempting to measure muted signals and wasting resources, thereby improving measurement precision on active signals while avoiding information loss that would occur from failed muting detection
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement report feedback mechanism allows the network to identify cases where muting may not have been properly applied or detected. The network can use this feedback to verify measurement quality and request re-measurements if necessary, preventing information loss while maintaining the interference reduction benefits of muting
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for autonomously detecting whether a reference signal within an OFDM signal transmitted by a remote transmitter is or is not muted for a given transmission time. Muting or puncturing may be applied to all or only a portion of the reference signal. The method, which may be carried out in an appropriately configured radio apparatus, includes receiving the OFDM signal and calculating a first comparison metric from signal samples of the OFDM signal corresponding to a first set of resource elements of the OFDM signal, and calculating a second comparison metric from signal samples of the OFDM signal corresponding to a second set of resource elements of the OFDM signal. The method continues with determining whether the reference signal is or is not muted for the given transmission time, by comparing the first and second comparison metrics, and foregoing or performing reference signal measurements responsive to determining that the reference signal is or is not muted.