Reference Signal Configuration for Backhaul Link Interference Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for configuring reference signals in communications systems cannot measure interference between backhaul links, which is essential for maintaining communication reliability and quality in radio relay systems.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a first node in a radio relay system determines beam information of beams used by backhaul links between relay nodes and sends configuration information to these nodes to enable the reception or transmission of reference signals, allowing for interference measurement between backhaul links by indicating a quasi co-location relationship between the reference signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art methods for configuring reference signals are used, then interference measurement can be performed in traditional cellular networks, but interference measurement between backhaul links in relay systems cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to relay system scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the configuration parameters of reference signals by introducing new parameters specifically for backhaul link interference measurement, including beam information parameters and quasi-co-location relationship parameters, allowing the reference signal configuration to adapt to relay system scenarios while maintaining compatibility with traditional cellular networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the reference signal configuration into different types: one for traditional cellular network interference measurement and another specifically for backhaul link interference measurement in relay systems, allowing each type to be optimized independently for its specific scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If reference signals are configured for backhaul link interference measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional beam information management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement capabilityVSAvoidbeam information management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the base station centrally manages and distributes beam information to relay nodes through configuration messages, eliminating the need for complex distributed beam information management across multiple relay nodes and simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining precise interference measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3726766B1Method and apparatus for configuring reference signal
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3726766B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3726766B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3726766B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a system for configuring a reference signal are used to resolve a technical problem in the prior art that signal interference between backhaul links cannot be measured. The method includes: determining, by a first node that serves as an upper-level node of a second node, first information including beam information of beams used by a link between the second node and a third node; and then sending configuration information to the second node to indicate a reference signal received or sent by the second node on a target beam, where the target beam is at least one of the beams used by the link between the second node and the third node, so that the first node can indicate the second node to receive or send the reference signal based on the beams used by the link between the second node and the third node, and the second node may further measure interference between the backhaul links based on the reference signal.