Reference Signal Sequence Generation for Bandwidth-Agnostic Channel Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In current communications technologies, terminal devices cannot perform channel estimation or channel sounding without knowing the system bandwidth, which is a limitation in New Radio (NR) technology.
Innovation Solution
The method allows terminal devices to complete channel estimation or channel sounding without learning the system bandwidth by determining a reference signal sequence unit corresponding to each resource element, using parameters such as resource block index, quantity of resource elements, and resource block offset, which are determined based on BWP configuration and signaling from the network device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device uses conventional channel estimation methods, then channel estimation can be performed, but the terminal device must know the system bandwidth which is not available in NR technology
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device generates the reference signal sequence autonomously using locally available parameters (resource block index, quantity of resource elements, resource block offset) without requiring system bandwidth information from the network, making the system self-sufficient
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters used for reference signal generation from system bandwidth-dependent parameters to BWP configuration parameters (resource block index, quantity of resource elements, resource block offset), enabling operation without system bandwidth knowledge
2Ease of operation
If the system provides system bandwidth information to the terminal device, then the terminal device can perform channel estimation, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential parameters needed for reference signal generation (resource block index, quantity of resource elements, resource block offset) from the complete system bandwidth information, transmitting only what is necessary and removing redundant data
Solution Approach 2:
The BWP configuration acts as an intermediary that translates system bandwidth information into specific parameters (resource block index, quantity of resource elements, resource block offset) that the terminal device can use directly for reference signal generation without receiving raw system bandwidth information
3Reliability
If the terminal device determines reference signal sequence based on system bandwidth, then channel sounding can be performed, but the system cannot support flexible carrier bandwidth changes
Solution Approach 1:
The reference signal generation parameters (resource block index, quantity of resource elements, resource block offset) are made dynamic and configurable per BWP, allowing the system to adapt to different carrier bandwidths and BWP configurations without being locked to a fixed system bandwidth
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the carrier bandwidth into multiple BWPs, each with its own reference signal parameters, allowing flexible allocation and configuration of resources across different bandwidth segments without requiring knowledge of the total system bandwidth
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a method for receiving reference signal and a method for sending a reference signal. The method for receiving a reference signal includes: determining, by a terminal device, a location of a resource element to which a reference signal is mapped; determining, by the terminal device, a reference signal sequence corresponding to the resource element, where an index of each element in the reference signal sequence is determined based on a resource block index of a resource block corresponding to the resource element, a quantity of resource elements that carry the reference signal in the resource block, a resource block offset, or an inter-symbol offset; and receiving, by the terminal device, the reference signal by using the resource element, and performing channel estimation or channel sounding based on the received reference signal and the reference signal sequence. Therefore, the terminal device can complete channel estimation without learning of a system bandwidth.