Precoding Stability Signaling for Cross-Slot Channel Estimation

Solution Overview

Problem

In a new radio (NR) communication environment, terminals are unable to effectively utilize demodulation reference signals (DMRS) across adjacent slots due to unpredictable changes in base station precoding, leading to suboptimal channel estimation performance when precoding varies between slots.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and apparatus that ensures the same precoding matrix is maintained for a specified interval by transmitting a precoding change restriction request or receiving a precoding maintenance signal, allowing for improved channel estimation through interpolation of DMRS results across adjacent slots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the base station changes precoding for each slot to adapt to channel variations, then the adaptability of the communication system is improved, but the channel estimation performance deteriorates because adjacent DMRS cannot be used for interpolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecoding adaptabilityVSAvoidchannel estimation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts precoding configuration based on operational needs. The base station can switch between changing precoding for each slot (for adaptability) and maintaining the same precoding across slots (for channel estimation accuracy), allowing the system to adapt its behavior to different channel conditions and traffic requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the precoding parameter configuration from a fixed pattern to a flexible configurable pattern. By introducing a precoding maintenance signal that controls whether precoding remains constant or changes across slots, the system can optimize the balance between adaptability and estimation accuracy by adjusting this parameter based on current channel conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the base station maintains the same precoding matrix across adjacent slots, then the channel estimation performance is improved by enabling DMRS interpolation, but the adaptability to channel variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel estimation performanceVSAvoidprecoding adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts precoding configuration based on operational needs. The base station can switch between changing precoding for each slot (for adaptability) and maintaining the same precoding across slots (for channel estimation accuracy), allowing the system to adapt its behavior to different channel conditions and traffic requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the precoding parameter configuration from a fixed pattern to a flexible configurable pattern. By introducing a precoding maintenance signal that controls whether precoding remains constant or changes across slots, the system can optimize the balance between adaptability and estimation accuracy by adjusting this parameter based on current channel conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the terminal detects precoding changes between adjacent slots, then the accuracy of determining DMRS usability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecoding change detection accuracyVSAvoidterminal device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station provides feedback to the terminal through the precoding maintenance signal, explicitly indicating whether precoding will remain constant across slots. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for the terminal to perform complex detection algorithms, as the terminal can directly rely on the base station's indication to determine DMRS usability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The precoding maintenance signal acts as an intermediary that carries information about precoding stability from the base station to the terminal. This intermediary simplifies the terminal's task by providing direct information about whether adjacent DMRS can be used, avoiding the need for the terminal to implement complex detection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4704351A1Method and apparatus for improving channel estimation

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device includes a communication circuit that receives a physical channel from a base station, a memory, and a processor that determines whether a precoding maintenance signal is received from the base station, and based on a determination that the precoding maintenance signal is not received, transmits a precoding change restriction request to the base station. The precoding change restriction request corresponds to a request to maintain a precoding matrix applied by the base station for a certain interval.