5G NR Control Channel REG Sets for Joint DMRS Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 5G NR mobile communications system faces challenges in channel estimation due to limited resource overhead for demodulation reference signals, which affects control channel coverage and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming REG sets or bundles that are consecutive in frequency or time domains to enable joint channel estimation using multiple DMRSs, improving channel estimation precision and resource reuse efficiency for control and data channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If DMRS resource overhead is reduced to save resources, then resource efficiency is improved, but channel estimation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource overheadVSAvoidchannel estimation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes DMRS serve multiple functions: it acts as both demodulation reference signal for control channels and as channel estimation reference for data channels. By enabling the same DMRS resources to be reused by both control and data channels, the system improves resource efficiency without sacrificing channel estimation performance for either channel type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the channel estimation functions of control channels and data channels into a unified DMRS resource framework. Instead of allocating separate reference signals for each channel type, the system merges their reference signal requirements, allowing shared use of DMRS resources across different channel types and time-frequency locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If DMRS is located only in PRB/REG used by control channel, then resource overhead is reduced, but channel estimation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource overheadVSAvoidcontrol channel coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the utility of DMRS from the control channel domain to the data channel domain by allowing data channels to perform channel estimation using DMRS located in control channel resources. This dimensional extension enables the same reference signal to serve multiple channel types, improving control channel coverage while maintaining resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3611864B1Efficient transmission and reception of control signals
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3611864B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3611864B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3611864B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: determining a quantity and a position of a control channel element CCE used by a control channel of user equipment, where each of the CCE corresponds to a plurality of resource element groups REGs, the plurality of REGs form at least one REG set, and any REG set in the at least one REG set includes a plurality of resource blocks RBs that are consecutive or adjacent in time domain and/or frequency domain; and sending, by the network device, the control channel to the user equipment by using the CCE. According to the communication method and the communication apparatus provided in this application, channel estimation precision can be improved.