SRS Carrier Switching Without PCell Pivot for Uplink Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks lack support for coordinating uplink transmission (UL TX) switching and sounding reference signal (SRS) carrier switching, leading to degraded performance and efficiency, particularly in downlink-only secondary cells (DL-only Scells), due to reliance on a primary cell (Pcell) as a pivot point, which causes interruptions and outdated channel estimates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a UE and network node processing system to facilitate SRS carrier switching between multiple carriers according to a pattern that does not require the Pcell as a pivot point, coordinating UL TX switching and SRS carrier switching to improve downlink MIMO performance and reduce data interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If SRS carrier switching is performed between Pcell and DL-only Scell, then channel quality estimation for DL-only Scell is enabled, but data transmission interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The network configures multiple SRS carriers in advance for the UE, including both UL Scells and DL-only Scells. The UE performs SRS carrier switching among these pre-configured carriers based on network indications, enabling channel quality estimation for DL-only Scells without requiring Pcell as a pivot point, thus avoiding data transmission interruptions.
2Device complexity
If Pcell is used as pivot point for UL TX switching and SRS carrier switching, then coordination between switching operations is simplified, but performance and efficiency are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the SRS carrier switching process by introducing multiple SRS carriers (both UL Scell and DL-only Scell) as independent switching targets. The UE can switch between these segmented carriers directly without requiring Pcell as an intermediate pivot point, thereby improving uplink data throughput while maintaining manageable switching coordination through network configuration and indication mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If SRS transmission is performed on DL-only Scell without UL resources, then downlink MIMO performance is improved, but transmission reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a network-side intermediary mechanism where the network configures multiple SRS carriers including UL Scells that have both UL and DL resources. The network intelligently indicates which SRS carrier the UE should switch to based on current transmission requirements, ensuring reliable SRS transmission while enabling downlink MIMO performance improvement through coordinated carrier selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless network may enable sequential sounding reference signal (SRS) carrier switching and may enable coordination between uplink (UL) transmission (TX) switching and SRS carrier switching, resulting in improved network performance and reduced downlink (DL) and/or UL interruptions. Additionally, a network node may indicate an updated selected sequential SRS carrier switching pattern, wherein the updated selection may be based on changed network performance parameters and/or measurements.