PTRS-DMRS Port Association for Multi-Antenna Phase Noise Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication technologies face challenges in accurately estimating phase noise due to the sensitivity of high-order modulation to phase noise, particularly in multi-antenna systems where the association between phase tracking reference signals (PTRS) and demodulation reference signals (DMRS) is not effectively managed, leading to suboptimal phase noise estimation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining the association between PTRS ports and DMRS ports based on specific conditions, such as the number of codewords and modulation and coding style levels, and sending PTRS reference signals accordingly, even when the downlink control information (DCI) lacks a PTRS-DMRS association indication field, to improve phase noise estimation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-order modulation is used to improve transmission effectiveness, then transmission efficiency is improved, but sensitivity to phase noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission effectivenessVSAvoidphase noise sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the phase noise estimation process by introducing multiple PTRS ports (up to 4 ports) that can be independently associated with different DMRS ports. This segmentation allows the system to handle phase noise from multiple antenna groups separately, improving estimation accuracy for high-order modulation while maintaining transmission effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of PTRS port count from traditional single-port to multi-port (M ≤ 4 ports), and introduces configurable association relationships between PTRS ports and DMRS ports. This parameter change enables more flexible and accurate phase noise estimation for high-order modulation schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple PTRS ports are used to improve phase noise estimation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase noise estimation accuracyVSAvoidPTRS-DMRS association management
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability in the association between PTRS ports and DMRS ports through DCI signaling. The network can dynamically adjust the association relationship based on channel conditions and transmission requirements, allowing the system to adapt the complexity level to actual needs rather than being fixed at high complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of association indication from always-present to conditionally-present in DCI. When the association relationship is predetermined or simple, the indication field can be omitted, reducing signaling overhead and device complexity while still supporting multi-port PTRS for improved measurement precision when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If DCI includes PTRS-DMRS association indication field to enable flexible association, then adaptability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePTRS-DMRS association flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the PTRS-DMRS association indication field optional rather than universal. The field is only included in DCI when dynamic association is actually needed, while simple or predetermined associations use implicit rules. This local application of flexibility reduces overall signaling overhead while maintaining adaptability where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of information

If implicit association rules are used to reduce signaling overhead, then loss of information is reduced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidassociation determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing association rules between PTRS ports and DMRS ports based on antenna group configurations and transmission parameters. These preliminary associations are determined before transmission based on predictable relationships (e.g., PTRS port associations with DMRS ports in the same antenna group), reducing the need for complex real-time determination while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4668636A1Reference signal transmission method and apparatus, communication device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4668636A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP4668636A1 patent drawingFigure 2C~3
  • EP4668636A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and relates to a reference signal transmission method and apparatus, a communication device, and a storage medium, for use in improving the estimation accuracy of a phase noise source. The method comprises: determining that the maximum number of antenna groups of a terminal is 4, and determining that the maximum number of phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) ports is N, N being a positive integer; determining that downlink control information (DCI) does not comprise a PTRS-demodulation reference signal (DMRS) association indication domain and a transport layer indication (TRI) indicated by the DCI is greater than 1; determining an association between M PTRS ports corresponding to a PTRS reference signal actually sent by the terminal and DMRS ports, wherein M is a positive integer less than or equal to N; and sending the PTRS reference signal on the basis of the DMRS ports respectively associated with the M PTRS ports.