Reference Signal Scrambling for Enhanced Control Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of channel estimates for enhanced control channels in wireless communication systems is degraded due to the absence of interpolation in the time or frequency domain, and there is a need for UE-specific and UE-common DMRS scrambling sequences to support UE-dedicated and UE-common control information transmission.

Innovation Solution

A transmission point transmits reference signals and DCI in specific PRBs with consistent and varying precoding across TTIs, allowing UEs to determine PRB locations and scrambling sequences through broadcast and higher-layer signaling, enabling accurate channel estimation and UE-specific/UE-common control information transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If DMRS is transmitted only in the BW of respective PDSCH without interpolation, then overhead is reduced, but channel estimation accuracy is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoverheadVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces CRS as an intermediary reference signal transmitted across the entire system bandwidth to assist channel estimation for eCCH. While DMRS provides UE-specific channel information, CRS serves as a complementary intermediary that enables frequency domain interpolation across the full bandwidth, thereby improving channel estimation accuracy without increasing DMRS overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple reference signal types (CRS and DMRS) to achieve both low overhead and high channel estimation accuracy. CRS provides broad coverage for interpolation while DMRS provides precise UE-specific channel information, and their combined use resolves the contradiction between reducing overhead and maintaining estimation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If UE-specific DMRS scrambling sequences are introduced, then UE-dedicated control information transmission is supported, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE-dedicated control information transmissionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different scrambling sequence characteristics to different control information types: UE-specific scrambling sequences for UE-dedicated control information and common scrambling sequences for UE-common control information. This local differentiation enables specialized transmission for each type while maintaining overall system manageability through clear separation of purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control information transmission into two distinct categories with different scrambling approaches: UE-specific scrambled sequences for dedicated control information and common scrambled sequences for common control information. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by creating clear, manageable subsets rather than requiring a single complex scrambling mechanism for all control information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3737029B1Reference signals and common search space for enhanced control channels
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3737029B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3737029B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3737029B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for a User Equipment (UE) to receive signaling of UE-common Downlink Control Information (DCI) in a set of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) over a Transmission Time Interval (TTI) are provided. The UE demodulates UE-common DCI using a Reference Signal (RS) that is scrambled by a UE-common scrambling sequence. The UE may assume that RS having a same precoding is transmitted in the set of PRBs over different TTIs. The UE may determine the scrambling sequence implicitly from an identity of a point transmitting the UE-common DCI or explicitly by higher layer signaling. The UE may determine the PRBs of UE-common DCI transmission by broadcast signaling or by higher layer signaling.