Reference Signal Indication Method Reducing Signaling Overhead

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G mobile communication systems, the dynamic and frequent changes in reference signal patterns lead to significant signaling indication overheads, resulting in lower service transmission rates due to the need for frequent indication of Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) patterns through high-layer RRC and physical-layer DCI information.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the network device does not transmit reference signal indication information when using a default or unchanged DMRS pattern, reducing transmission times and bit overhead by configuring a target reference signal pattern for later transmission occasions and only transmitting indication information when the pattern changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the reference signal pattern is changed dynamically and frequently to meet different service requirements, then the system adaptability is improved, but the signaling indication overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference signal pattern adaptabilityVSAvoidsignaling indication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reference signal pattern indication where the network device can flexibly select and indicate different DMRS patterns (first pattern or second pattern) based on current transmission requirements. This allows the system to adapt to different services and channel conditions while only transmitting indication information when pattern changes are needed, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the reference signal indication information is transmitted frequently to indicate pattern changes, then the reference signal pattern indication accuracy is improved, but the service transmission rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference signal pattern indication accuracyVSAvoidservice transmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic or event-driven indication transmission where reference signal pattern indication information is transmitted only when the pattern actually changes. The network device determines whether to transmit indication information based on comparison between current and previous patterns, avoiding redundant transmissions during unchanged periods and thus preserving service transmission rate while maintaining indication accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the DMRS pattern is made flexible to support multiple functions, then the system versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDMRS pattern flexibilityVSAvoidpattern indication mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the indication information to convey different DMRS pattern selections. By modifying specific parameters within the indication message (such as pattern type indicators), the system can support multiple DMRS patterns and functions without requiring fundamentally different indication mechanisms, thus managing complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3567949B1Reference signal indication method, network device and terminal device
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3567949B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3567949B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3567949B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A reference signal indication method, a network device and a terminal device are provided. The method includes: configuring a target reference signal pattern to be used for a terminal device in later transmission occasions, wherein the target reference signal pattern is a reference signal pattern selected from multiple predefined reference signal patterns; and not transmitting reference signal indication information to the terminal device, in a case that the target reference signal pattern is a default reference signal pattern; or not transmitting the reference signal indication information to the terminal device, in a case that the target reference signal pattern is the same as a reference signal pattern indicated by a previous piece of reference signal indication information.