SRS Resource Allocation via LMF to Prevent Inter-Cell Conflicts

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR systems, inter-cell SRS resource conflicts occur when user equipment moves from one cell to another, leading to overlapping resource allocations, which can cause interference and positioning inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A centralized resource management system, managed by the LMF, ensures unique SRS resource allocation for each UE within a local area (LA), preventing conflicts by constructing a correspondence between UEs and SRS resources, with base stations executing these allocations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If base stations independently allocate SRS resources to UEs in their respective cells, then resource allocation is simple and autonomous, but inter-cell resource conflicts occur when UEs move between cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation autonomyVSAvoidresource conflict avoidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an LMF (Location Management Function) as an intermediary to centrally manage and allocate SRS resources for positioning across multiple base stations. The LMF receives positioning requests, determines appropriate SRS resources, and allocates them to UEs, preventing inter-cell conflicts while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the SRS resource allocation function from individual base stations into a centralized LMF. By combining resource management across multiple cells under a single entity, the system eliminates resource conflicts that arise from independent allocation while improving overall resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If SRS resources are shared across multiple cells, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but resource conflicts and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidresource conflict interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allocating specific SRS resources to specific UEs based on their location and positioning requirements. The LMF determines which UEs need positioning services and assigns dedicated resources, ensuring that resources are efficiently utilized where needed while avoiding conflicts in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the allocation parameters from cell-based shared resources to UE-specific dedicated resources managed by the LMF. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high resource utilization while eliminating interference caused by multiple UEs sharing the same resources across cell boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If UEs send SRS on allocated resources for positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases due to continuous signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidUE energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having the LMF allocate SRS resources on demand based on positioning requests rather than continuously. UEs only transmit SRS when explicitly allocated resources by the LMF, reducing energy consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service by allowing the LMF to dynamically determine when positioning is required and allocate resources accordingly. The system automatically manages resource allocation based on actual positioning needs, reducing unnecessary SRS transmissions and associated energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4210387B1SRS resource allocation
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4210387B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4210387B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4210387B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application discloses a resource allocation method and a related device, to effectively avoid an inter-cell SRS resource conflict. The method in this application includes: A target base station receives a first correspondence from a location management function LMF, where the first correspondence indicates that first user equipment UE uniquely corresponds to a first SRS resource in a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells include a cell served by the target base station, and the first UE is located in the cell served by the target base station. The target base station allocates the first SRS resource to the first UE based on the first correspondence.