Reference Signal Allocation for Resource Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE systems, reference signals occupy a large quantity of time-frequency resources, leading to reduced system resource utilization and performance, especially for cell-edge users and users with varying antenna port configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network device sends cell common reference signals and user-specific reference signals to terminal devices, allowing flexible resource allocation based on channel conditions and antenna port configurations, reducing reference signal overheads and increasing resource utilization by using N1 antenna ports for common signals and N2 antenna ports specific to each terminal device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If common reference signals are transmitted for all users in a cell, then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but reference signal overhead increases and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference signal transmission is segmented into two parts: cell common reference signals transmitted to all users, and user-specific reference signals transmitted only to scheduled users. This segmentation allows the system to maintain necessary channel estimation accuracy while reducing overall reference signal overhead by avoiding redundant transmissions to unscheduled users.
Solution Approach 2:
Different reference signal configurations are applied to different users based on their specific needs. Cell common reference signals provide baseline channel estimation for all users, while user-specific reference signals are selectively transmitted to scheduled users to enhance their channel estimation accuracy. This local quality approach optimizes resource usage by providing enhanced reference signals only where needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reference signals are transmitted for maximum number of antenna ports, then support for multiple transmission modes is improved, but reference signal overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of antenna ports for which reference signals are transmitted based on the actual transmission mode and user requirements. Instead of always transmitting reference signals for the maximum number of antenna ports, the system adapts the reference signal configuration to match the current transmission mode, thereby reducing reference signal overhead while maintaining transmission mode versatility.
3Measurement precision
If cell common reference signals are transmitted across entire bandwidth, then channel estimation coverage is improved, but frequency resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cell common reference signals are transmitted across the entire bandwidth to provide comprehensive channel estimation coverage, while user-specific reference signals are transmitted only in the frequency resources allocated to scheduled users. This local quality approach ensures that channel estimation coverage is maintained where needed while reducing frequency resource consumption by avoiding redundant reference signal transmissions in resources not currently in use.
Data Source
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AI summary
A reference signal sending method includes the following: A network device sends reference signals of N antenna ports and downlink data to a terminal device, where the reference signals of the N antenna ports include cell common reference signals of N1 antenna ports and reference signals that are of N2 antenna ports and that are specific to the terminal device; after receiving the reference signals of the N antenna ports and the downlink data, the terminal device detects the downlink data based on the reference signals. According to this method, reference signal overheads can be reduced.