Reference Signal Slot Configuration for Wireless Network Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in network energy saving, particularly in scenarios where reference signals are transmitted in every time slot, leading to inefficient energy consumption and delayed measurement information acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A method for configuring reference signal resources in wireless communication systems that allows for selective transmission in specific time slots based on the length and position of the time-domain resource, enabling energy-saving mechanisms like DTX, DRX, SCell deactivation, and RRC state management, applicable across various communication scenarios including LTE, 5G, and V2X.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the reference signal is sent in each time slot configured to this RS resource, then the measurement information can be obtained in a timely manner, but it does not help to save network energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement information acquisition timeVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by configuring the reference signal to be transmitted only in specific time slots according to a predetermined pattern, rather than in every time slot. The UE is configured with information about which time slots will contain the reference signal, allowing it to periodically wake up and receive the signal only when needed, thereby reducing network energy consumption while still obtaining measurement information in a timely manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the reference signal is not sent in each time slot configured to this RS resource, then network energy can be saved, but the UE cannot obtain the measurement information in a timely manner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork energy consumptionVSAvoidmeasurement information acquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with information about the time slot pattern where reference signals will be transmitted. This allows the UE to know in advance which time slots to monitor for reference signals, enabling timely measurement information acquisition even when the reference signal is not transmitted in every time slot, thus resolving the contradiction between energy saving and timely information acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the base station transmits reference signal in every time slot, then the measurement accuracy is maintained, but the hardware complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel measurement accuracyVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting only the necessary reference signal transmissions from the continuous transmission pattern. Instead of transmitting reference signals in every time slot, the system transmits them only in specific configured time slots, reducing hardware complexity and energy consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy through proper configuration of the transmission pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4654511A1Method in communication node used for wireless communication, and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 APOGEE 5G GLOBAL LLC
  • EP4654511A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4654511A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4654511A1 patent drawingFigure 7~14

AI summary

Disclosed in the present application are a method in a communication node used for wireless communication, and an apparatus. A communication node receives a first signaling and a second signaling, the first signaling being used for configuring at least the former of a resource occupied by at least a first RS resource in the frequency domain and a time-domain resource occupied by the at least first RS resource on a physical resource block, the second signaling being used for determining a first time-domain resource, and the first time-domain resource comprising a first time slot; and, on the at least first RS resource, receives a reference signal, whether the at least first RS resource occupies in the time domain a time-domain resource of the first time slot depending on at least one of the length of the first time-domain resource and the position of the first time slot in the first time-domain resource. The present application reduces the time slot occupied by the at least first RS resource in the first time-domain resource, helping to save network energy.