Reference Signal Resource Patterns for Low-Overhead Channel Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of users, data streams, and transmission bandwidth in 6G communication systems leads to a sharp increase in the number of required reference signal ports, resulting in ultra-high air interface overheads that bottleneck the acquisition of channel state information.
Innovation Solution
A method for configuring reference signal resources that adapt to frequency domain channel variations, allowing for flexible resource allocation by associating different resource patterns with varying channel characteristics, reducing air interface overheads and improving system spectrum efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of reference signal ports is increased to support more users and data streams, then the system capacity and user support increase, but the air interface overheads become ultra-high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency domain into multiple subbands and divides reference signal ports into different groups, where each group uses a different resource pattern. This allows selective placement of reference signals in different frequency regions, reducing overall overhead while maintaining support for multiple users and streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different resource patterns to different reference signal port groups based on their specific channel characteristics and frequency domain variations. Each port group receives optimized resource allocation tailored to its local requirements, reducing unnecessary overhead in regions where channel variation is low.
2Measurement precision
If reference signal resources are uniformly distributed in frequency domain, then channel estimation accuracy is maintained, but resource overheads are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic resource pattern selection where the resource allocation for reference signals adapts to the actual channel characteristics. Different resource patterns are selected based on the measured frequency domain variation of channels, allowing the system to optimize overhead while maintaining estimation accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resource allocation parameters (density, distribution pattern) of reference signals based on channel characteristics. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to frequency domain variation, the system achieves optimal balance between estimation accuracy and overhead reduction.
3Productivity
If the number of reference signal ports is increased to reach 1000 or more, then more antenna ports are supported, but the air interface overheads become a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large number of reference signal ports into multiple groups, each assigned a different resource pattern. This segmentation allows the system to support 1000+ antenna ports while controlling overhead by not uniformly allocating resources across all ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple resource patterns that can be universally applied to different port groups. Each resource pattern serves multiple purposes: supporting different channel characteristics, adapting to different frequency variations, and collectively enabling support for large numbers of ports with controlled overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a reference signal configuration method and a communication apparatus. A network device determines a plurality of channel characteristics of a channel of a reference signal port and reference signal resource configuration information based on a variation of the channel of the reference signal port in frequency domain, and sends the reference signal resource configuration information to a terminal device. The reference signal resource configuration information indicates a first resource pattern and/or a second resource pattern of the reference signal port. The first resource pattern and the second resource pattern are respectively associated with a first channel characteristic and a second channel characteristic in the plurality of channel characteristics.