Partial Frequency Sounding with SRS for 5G NR Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G new radio (NR) technologies face challenges in enhancing Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) capacity and coverage, particularly in Frequency Range 1 and 2, with limitations in aperiodic SRS triggering, Downlink Control Information (DCI) overhead, and SRS switching for multiple antennas.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving configuration information via DCI or higher-layer signaling to configure partial or full frequency sounding with SRS transmission, including sequence generation and comb size settings, enabling dynamic switching between partial and full frequency sounding to enhance SRS capacity and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If full frequency sounding with SRS transmission is used, then SRS coverage is improved, but SRS capacity is reduced due to power distribution across larger bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum is segmented into multiple SRS bandwidth parts (BWPs), allowing the system to divide the total bandwidth into smaller manageable segments. Each SRS transmission can be configured to sound specific BWPs, enabling flexible allocation of power and resources. This segmentation allows simultaneous support for multiple UEs with different bandwidth requirements, thereby increasing overall SRS capacity while maintaining coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial frequency sounding by allowing SRS transmissions to cover only specific portions of the total bandwidth rather than the entire frequency range. This partial action approach concentrates transmit power on selected BWPs, improving the quality of channel sounding in those regions while reducing total power consumption. Multiple partial sounding instances can be multiplexed to achieve full coverage over time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If aperiodic SRS triggering is enhanced for flexible triggering, then adaptability is improved, but DCI overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic SRS triggering mechanisms where the triggering behavior can be adjusted based on channel conditions, traffic requirements, and network state. Aperiodic SRS transmissions are triggered dynamically through DCI messages, allowing the network to adaptively request channel sounding only when necessary (e.g., during scheduling decisions, channel condition changes). This dynamic approach provides high adaptability while controlling overhead by triggering SRS only when needed rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-based triggering configurations where various parameters (such as triggering offset, periodicity, bandwidth part selection, and comb configuration) can be dynamically adjusted through DCI messages. By changing these parameters, the system can flexibly control SRS transmission characteristics without requiring separate DCI messages for each aspect, thereby reducing overall overhead while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If SRS transmission is configured for multiple antennas (xTyR), then MIMO performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into multiple SRS resource sets, where each set is associated with specific antenna ports or port groups. This segmentation allows independent configuration and management of SRS resources for different antenna subsets, simplifying the switching control logic. Instead of managing all antennas simultaneously, the system can switch between predefined resource sets, reducing the complexity of multi-antenna SRS management while maintaining full MIMO capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration of SRS resources for multiple antennas, where resource sets and their associated parameters (comb configurations, bandwidth parts, time offsets) are pre-configured through higher-layer signaling. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time switching decisions during operation, as the UE simply follows pre-defined resource allocation patterns for different antenna ports, thereby reducing operational complexity while supporting advanced MIMO configurations.
4Quantity of substance
If new comb sizes are introduced for sparse sub-carrier selection, then SRS capacity is improved, but sequence generation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces configurable comb size parameters (e.g., comb-2, comb-4, comb-8) that define the spacing between sub-carriers used for SRS transmission. By changing the comb size parameter, the system can adjust the density of sub-carrier usage, thereby controlling SRS capacity and power spectral density. The sequence generation process is adapted to these parameter changes through standardized algorithms that take the comb size as input, generating appropriate phase rotations and sub-carrier mappings without requiring complex custom generation logic for each comb size.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication method includes receiving, via downlink control information (DCI) or higher layer signaling, configuration information including a frequency sounding with Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) configuration; and configuring partial or full frequency sounding with SRS transmission based on the configuration information.