QCL ID Signal Processing for LTE Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, identifying a downlink signal in Quasi-Co-Location (QCL) to improve channel estimation performance is challenging, as existing methods require complex signaling overhead and limited flexibility in QCL indication.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing method and device that utilize a QCL Identifier (ID) to find a second reference signal in QCL with a first downlink signal, allowing processing on a first port set based on the second downlink signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead and improving channel estimation performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex signaling methods are used to indicate QCL relationships, then the accuracy of identifying downlink signals in QCL can be improved, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of identifying downlink signals in QCLVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the QCL relationship indication from complex signaling by introducing a simplified QCL ID that directly identifies the quasi-co-location relationship between downlink signals. This extraction reduces the signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to accurately indicate QCL relationships through the compact QCL ID format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by using a condensed QCL ID instead of detailed QCL relationship descriptions. This parameter transformation allows the system to convey the same QCL indication information with reduced signaling resources, effectively lowering the overhead while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional QCL indication methods are used, then comprehensive QCL relationship coverage can be achieved, but the flexibility in QCL indication is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in QCL indicationVSAvoidcomplexity of QCL indication mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The QCL ID mechanism serves multiple functions: it identifies downlink signals in QCL, indicates the quasi-co-location relationship, and enables flexible signal processing. This multi-functional design increases adaptability while the standardized ID format actually reduces the overall complexity of the indication mechanism compared to traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If channel estimation is performed without QCL assistance, then the processing simplicity is maintained, but the channel estimation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation performanceVSAvoidcomplexity of signal processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using QCL ID to pre-identify the quasi-co-location relationship between downlink signals before channel estimation is performed. This preliminary identification enables the receiver to leverage known QCL relationships to improve channel estimation accuracy, as the QCL information is already established and available when estimation occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3609255B1Signal processing method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3609255B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3609255B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The embodiments of the application provide a signal processing method and device, which may find a second downlink signal in Quasi-Co-Location (QCL) with a first downlink signal through a QCL Identifier (ID), thereby processing the first downlink signal based on the second downlink signal. The method includes that: a terminal device determines a QCL ID corresponding to a first port set for a first downlink signal; the UE determines a second downlink signal in QCL with the first port set for the first downlink signal based on the QCL ID; and the UE processes a signal on the first port set for the first downlink signal based on QCL information obtained from the second downlink signal.