Control Channel Resource Set Signaling for Joint Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communications systems face resource waste due to excessively high reference signal density in control channels, leading to inaccurate channel estimation, while reducing reference signals results in lower estimation accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method of mapping control information to resource element sets based on configuration information, allowing joint channel estimation without increasing reference signal density, by indicating resource element sets with frequency and time domain information, and configuring patterns for these sets to optimize channel estimation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If reference signals are distributed in the entire time-frequency resource area, then channel estimation can be performed, but reference signal density becomes excessively high causing resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time-frequency resource area into multiple resource element sets, each containing a subset of reference signals. Instead of using all reference signals uniformly across the entire area, the terminal device selects and uses only the reference signals from the indicated resource element set for channel estimation. This segmentation allows precise channel estimation using fewer reference signals, reducing resource waste while maintaining estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If reference signal density is reduced to avoid resource waste, then resource efficiency improves, but channel estimation accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by indicating a specific resource element set that contains reference signals appropriate for the terminal device's location and channel conditions. Rather than uniformly distributing reference signals across the entire time-frequency area, the network device selectively indicates a local subset (resource element set) that provides sufficient channel estimation accuracy for the specific terminal, thereby improving resource efficiency without sacrificing estimation precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If reference signals are sent only in physical resource blocks carrying control information, then resource waste is reduced, but the quantity of reference signals becomes excessively small reducing estimation accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource wasteVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by enabling flexible indication of resource element sets through higher layer signaling or downlink control information. The quantity and location of reference signals in the indicated resource element set can be dynamically adjusted based on terminal device quantity, channel conditions, and traffic requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize between resource efficiency and channel estimation accuracy in real-time, rather than using a fixed reference signal distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3637907B1Method for transmitting control information, related device, and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3637907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3637907B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3637907B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a

AI summary

A control information transmission method, a related apparatus, and a computer storage medium are provided. The method includes: determining, by a network device, configuration information of a control channel, where the configuration information includes frequency domain information and/or time domain information used to indicate a time-frequency resource occupied by the control channel, and includes indication information used to indicate at least one resource element set, wherein the time-frequency resource occupied by the control channel includes the at least one resource element set; mapping, by the network device, control information to one or more of the at least one resource element set based on the configuration information; and sending, by the network device, the configuration information to a terminal device, and sending the control information to the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device can perform joint channel estimation based on all reference signals included in a resource element set. A quantity of reference signals used in channel estimation is increased, and therefore channel estimation accuracy is improved without increasing reference signal density.