Mixed Compression of RS and Data Resource Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to efficiently address the need for efficient compression of reference signal (RS) and data in wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of new radio (NR) and LTE, leading to suboptimal performance in bandwidth usage and signaling overhead.

Innovation Solution

Implementing different compression techniques for reference signal (RS) and data resource elements (REs) within the same symbol, using a more robust compression type for RS REs to maintain channel estimation accuracy while allowing for less lossy compression of data REs, thereby reducing signaling overhead and improving bandwidth utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the same compression type is applied to both reference signal (RS) and data resource elements (REs), then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but channel estimation accuracy deteriorates and signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression operation simplicityVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource elements into two distinct categories: reference signal REs and data REs. Each category is assigned a different compression type based on its specific requirements. RS REs use a first compression type optimized for maintaining channel estimation accuracy, while data REs use a second compression type optimized for data transmission efficiency. This segmentation allows each type of RE to be compressed independently with appropriate parameters, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and channel estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the local quality principle by assigning different compression characteristics to different parts of the transmitted signal. Specifically, RS REs receive a more robust compression treatment with parameters optimized for preserving signal quality and channel estimation accuracy, while data REs receive compression optimized for bandwidth efficiency. This localized differentiation of compression quality ensures that each component receives the appropriate level of compression aggressiveness for its functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If a robust compression type is applied to reference signal (RS) resource elements (REs), then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signaling information into separate compression parameter sets for RS REs and data REs. By identifying and separately signaling the compression type for each category, the system avoids the need to signal compression parameters for every individual RE. This segmentation reduces the overall signaling overhead while still enabling the application of robust compression to RS REs for improved channel estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If different compression types are applied to reference signal (RS) and data resource elements (REs), then channel estimation accuracy is improved and bandwidth utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcompression processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by dividing the compression processing into distinct stages and pathways for RS REs and data REs. The DU separately determines compression types for each category, and the RU separately decompresses each category using the corresponding parameters. This segmented approach, while creating multiple processing paths, organizes the complexity into manageable, independent modules that can be implemented efficiently through standardized procedures for each RE type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the DU determine and signal the compression types for both RS and data REs before transmission. The RU receives and stores these compression parameters in advance, preparing the appropriate decompression algorithms before the actual data arrives. This preliminary configuration of compression parameters reduces the real-time processing complexity at the RU, as the decompression strategy is predetermined based on the signaled parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4183050B1Compression techniques for data and reference signal resource elements (RES)
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4183050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4183050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4183050B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for signal compression. Certain aspects described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication by a distributed unit (DU). The method generally includes compressing at least one reference signal (RS) in one or more first set of resource elements (REs) of a symbol and data in one or more second set of REs of the symbol, wherein the at least one RS is compressed using a first compression type and the data is compressed using a second compression type, and wherein the first compression type is different than the second compression type; and sending, to a radio unit (RU), the symbol having the at least one RS in the one or more first set of REs and the data in the one or more second set of REs compressed using the first and second compression types, respectively.