Sounding Reference Signal Beam Configuration for Coverage and Interference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communications systems face limitations in coverage performance and interference between neighboring cells due to the omnidirectional transmission of sounding reference signals using single antenna ports.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining and sending configuration information with beam-related parameters to terminal devices, enabling them to send sounding reference signals using specific beams, thereby implementing beamforming to improve coverage and reduce interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If omnidirectional transmission using single antenna port is used, then device complexity is reduced, but coverage performance is limited and interference between neighboring cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission structureVSAvoidinterference between neighboring cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the omnidirectional transmission into multiple directional beams. Each beam is transmitted through a specific antenna port with defined spatial characteristics, transforming a single omnidirectional signal into multiple directed signals that cover different spatial regions, thereby reducing inter-cell interference while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spatial dimensionality to the transmission by configuring multiple antenna ports with specific beam directions. This transforms the traditional single-dimension omnidirectional transmission into multi-dimensional directional transmission, enabling the system to achieve better coverage and reduced interference through spatial separation

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

2Device complexity

If omnidirectional transmission using single antenna port is used, then device complexity is reduced, but coverage performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission structureVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the coverage area into multiple directional sectors, each served by a specific beam configuration. By segmenting the transmission into multiple directional beams rather than one omnidirectional beam, the system achieves broader overall coverage while keeping individual beam structures simple and manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple directional beams to achieve comprehensive coverage. Each antenna port transmits a focused beam in a specific direction, and the combination of these multiple beams creates an extended overall coverage area that exceeds what a single omnidirectional transmission could achieve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3487203B1Transmission method and apparatus for sounding reference signal
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3487203B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3487203B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3487203B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for sending a sounding reference signal. The method includes: determining, by a network device, configuration information of a first sounding reference signal, where the configuration information of the first sounding reference signal includes a beam configuration parameter of the first sounding reference signal, and the beam configuration parameter of the first sounding reference signal is used to instruct a terminal device to send the first sounding reference signal by using a first beam; and sending, by the network device, the configuration information of the first sounding reference signal to the terminal device. According to the method and the apparatus for sending a sounding reference signal in the embodiments of the present invention, coverage performance of the sounding reference signal can be effectively improved, and interference between neighboring cells can be reduced, thereby improving user experience.