Shared Demodulation Reference Signal for Multi-User MIMO

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face challenges with signal fading and interference due to increased range and complex environments, particularly in demodulating control channels and data channels, where existing reference signals do not efficiently support beamforming and precoding for multiple-user MIMO scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a shared demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) and user equipment-specific DM-RS, which are orthogonal or approximately orthogonal, allowing for reuse and sharing of DM-RS ports across multiple users, reducing overhead and improving system efficiency by supporting beamforming and precoding technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate reference signals are used for each user in multi-user MIMO, then channel demodulation accuracy is improved, but resource overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel demodulation accuracyVSAvoidreference signal overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines reference signals from multiple users into shared resource blocks. Specifically, reference signals for different users are multiplexed in the same time-frequency resources using different spatial layers or code division, allowing multiple users to share the same reference signal resources while maintaining individual channel estimation accuracy through precoding and layer separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal reference signals that serve multiple users simultaneously. The same reference signal sequence and resource structure are used across multiple users, with user-specific information conveyed through precoding matrices and layer assignments rather than dedicated reference signal variations, thereby reducing overall reference signal overhead.

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

2Productivity

If beamforming and precoding are implemented for multiple users, then system transmission efficiency is improved, but reference signal design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem transmission efficiencyVSAvoidreference signal design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of reference signals dynamically based on user conditions, including modulation order, coding rate, and resource allocation. By adjusting these parameters according to channel conditions and user requirements, the system optimizes transmission efficiency while managing reference signal complexity through standardized parameter sets and configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If reference signals are reused across multiple users, then resource waste is reduced, but signal interference between users increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource wasteVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary precoding and spatial filtering to reference signals before transmission to different users. By pre-processing the reference signals with user-specific precoding matrices and selecting appropriate spatial layers, the system enables reference signal reuse across users while minimizing inter-user interference through spatial separation and orthogonalization techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3528417B1Method for transmitting reference signal, network side device, and user equipment
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3528417B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3528417B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP3528417B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A reference signal transmission method is provided, including: generating, by a network side device, a transmission unit, where the transmission unit includes a user equipment-specific demodulation reference signal UE-specific DM-RS, a time-frequency region for unicast control, and a user-specific data time-frequency region; and sending the transmission unit to user equipment, where the UE-specific DM-RS is reused or shared to demodulate the time-frequency region for unicast control and the user-specific data time-frequency region.