Reference Signal Initialization for CoMP Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, especially in CoMP environments, maintaining orthogonality of reference signals across multiple cells and transmission points is challenging, leading to interference issues and reduced system performance.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating and transmitting reference signals using different initialization values for each UE or TP, allowing for pseudo-orthogonality by selecting between identical or different reference signal sequences based on cell IDs and communication scenarios, and signaling these selections through DCI formats with additional bits or RRC signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the same reference signal sequence is used across multiple cells and transmission points, then implementation complexity is reduced, but orthogonality is lost leading to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereference signal generation complexityVSAvoidinterference between cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the reference signal sequence locally adaptive to each cell's characteristics. Specifically, the initialization value of the reference signal sequence is set based on cell-specific parameters (cell ID, transmission point ID, carrier frequency), ensuring that each cell generates a unique sequence that is orthogonal to others, thereby eliminating interference while maintaining manageable complexity through a systematic generation approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the initialization value parameters of the reference signal sequence to achieve orthogonality. By changing the initialization value based on cell ID, transmission point ID, and carrier frequency, the system generates distinct reference signal sequences for different cells and transmission points, ensuring orthogonality without requiring completely different signal structures, thus balancing complexity and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If different reference signal sequences are used for each UE or TP, then orthogonality and interference reduction are improved, but system complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference between UEsVSAvoidreference signal management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a unified reference signal generation mechanism that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same initialization value formula is used across all cells and transmission points, and the generated reference signal sequences serve both for channel estimation and for identifying different transmission points. This multi-functional approach achieves interference reduction without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function, thereby controlling system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling user equipment to autonomously generate the expected reference signal sequences using the publicly signaled initialization value parameters. The UE uses the cell ID, transmission point ID, and carrier frequency information to independently calculate the initialization value and generate the reference signal sequence for channel estimation, eliminating the need for the network to explicitly signal each sequence, thus reducing signaling overhead and management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If cell-specific initialization values are used, then orthogonality between cells is achieved, but flexibility in CoMP scenarios is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interferenceVSAvoidCoMP scenario adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the reference signal initialization value dynamically configurable based on the operational scenario. The system can adaptively select different initialization value configurations: using cell ID for traditional single-cell operations, using transmission point ID for CoMP scenarios with multiple transmission points, or combining both parameters. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain orthogonality while flexibly supporting various CoMP scenarios including joint transmission and coordinated beamforming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs segmentation by separating the initialization value into distinct components that can be independently selected based on the scenario. The initialization value is segmented into cell ID portion and transmission point ID portion, allowing the system to activate only the necessary components for each operational mode. This segmentation provides flexibility to support both traditional cell-specific operations and advanced CoMP scenarios without compromising orthogonality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3737060B1Apparatus and method for estimating channel
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 APPLE INC
  • EP3737060B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3737060B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3737060B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for transmitting a reference signal includes selecting one of a first initialization value and a second initialization value, generating selection instruction information corresponding to the selected initialization value, transmitting the selection instruction information to a mobile station, generating a reference signal based on the selected initialization value, and transmitting the generated reference signal to the mobile station. A method for estimating a channel includes receiving selection instruction information indicating a selection of at least one of a first initialization value and a second initialization value, receiving a first reference signal based on the selection instruction information, generating a second reference signal based on an initialization value indicated as being selected by the selection instruction information, and estimating a channel state by comparing the first reference signal with the second reference signal.