Reference Signal Location Indication in 5G DCI
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in signaling and processing overhead due to explicit indication of non-data signal locations within data channels, particularly in flexible scheduling environments like 5G New Radio systems, where the positions of reference signals within a transmission time interval (TTI) are not efficiently determined.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow user equipment (UE) to efficiently determine the location of non-data signals within a TTI by receiving a resource grant and an indication of a control signal configuration and end symbol index from a base station, enabling the UE to identify symbol positions for reference signal communication without explicit signaling, using a pointer to a reference signal configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If explicit signaling is used to indicate the location of non-data signals within data channels, then the location information is accurately communicated, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference signal location indication from explicit signaling and embeds it within the downlink control information (DCI) format. Instead of separate explicit signaling messages, the reference signal position is indicated through compact fields within the existing DCI structure, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining accurate location information transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The downlink control information (DCI) format is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it carries resource allocation information, scheduling details, and reference signal location indications. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated signaling messages for reference signal positions, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining comprehensive information delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible scheduling is implemented with arbitrary starting and ending positions of data channels, then scheduling adaptability is improved, but the complexity of determining non-data signal locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates reference signal location indication fields within the DCI format that is transmitted before the data channel. This preliminary action provides the user equipment with the necessary reference signal position information in advance, allowing the device to correctly interpret and process the flexible scheduling arrangement without requiring complex post-processing or additional signaling exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The DCI format serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between flexible scheduling requirements and reference signal location determination. By embedding location indication fields within the DCI, the system provides a structured mechanism that translates arbitrary data channel positions into determinable reference signal locations, reducing the complexity faced by user equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of reference signals varies per TTI, then communication flexibility is improved, but processing overhead at the user equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DCI format includes fields that indicate the number and positions of reference signals before the user equipment needs to process the data channel. This preliminary indication allows the receiving device to prepare appropriate processing resources and correctly interpret the varying reference signal configurations without incurring excessive processing overhead during actual data reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter fields within the DCI format that dynamically specify the number of reference signals and their positions for each transmission time interval. By changing these parameters through compact signaling rather than through complex configuration messages, the system achieves flexible reference signal adaptation while keeping processing overhead manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive, from a base station, a resource grant for a data communication within a transmission time interval (TTI). The UE may receive, from the base station, an indication of a control signal configuration and an end symbol index associated with the resource grant. The UE may identify, based at least in part on the received indication, a plurality of symbol positions in the TTI in which reference signals are to be communicated in conjunction with the data communication.