Quasi-Co-Location Relation Determination for Wireless Channel Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems do not effectively utilize the quasi-co-location (QCL) mechanism to optimize channel estimation and resource allocation for base stations, limiting their ability to improve high-rate transmissions and spectral efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining a quasi-co-location relation between user equipment in a wireless communication network, involving the discovery of nearby user equipment, negotiation of common reference signals, estimation of large-scale channel properties, comparison of estimates, and notification of the network node to optimize channel configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If QCL mechanism is applied only to antenna ports of the same logical gNB, then channel estimation resources are saved for UE, but base stations cannot benefit from QCL to optimize their channel sounding and resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the QCL mechanism from its original limited application (only between antenna ports of the same logical gNB) to a universal application that includes user equipment and base stations. This allows QCL to serve multiple functions: UE can still use it for channel estimation optimization, while simultaneously enabling base stations to optimize their channel sounding and resource allocation decisions based on QCL relationships with multiple UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the QCL relationship into distinct types: intra-gNB QCL (original functionality between antenna ports) and inter-node QCL (new functionality between UE and gNB). This segmentation allows the system to maintain the original UE benefit while adding new base station optimization capabilities without interference between the two functions.
2Productivity
If base stations determine QCL relationships independently, then they can optimize channel sounding, but this increases system complexity and processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where user equipment autonomously determines QCL relationships with base stations and communicates these relationships back to the network. This shifts the computational burden from the base station to the UE, allowing base stations to benefit from QCL optimization without significantly increasing system complexity. The UE performs the channel measurements and QCL determinations using its own processing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback loop where UE determines QCL relationships and reports them to the base station, which then uses this information to optimize channel sounding and resource allocation. This feedback mechanism enables base stations to make informed decisions about resource allocation and channel estimation strategies without requiring complex centralized control or increased system overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A quasi-colocation relation is determined at a first user equipment server by a network node in a wireless communication network by: discovering, using sidelink communications, a nearby second user equipment; negotiating at least one common reference signal with the second user equipment; determining, using the at least one common reference signal, a first estimate of at least one large-scale property of a first physical channel; receiving, from the second user equipment, at least a second estimate of said at least one large-scale property of a second physical channel; determining a quasi-colocation relation by comparing the first estimate and the second estimate; and notifying a network node of a quasi-colocation relation between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.