Sounding Reference Signal Configuration via Partial Frequency Sounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently configuring Sounding Reference Signals (SRS) for optimal performance, particularly in terms of resource allocation and frequency utilization.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves configuring SRS resources using a partial frequency sounding indicator (PF) and additional information, such as subband size and offset, to dynamically allocate time and frequency resources for SRS transmission, enabling more flexible and efficient SRS configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional SRS resource allocation methods are used, then resource allocation is simple, but SRS coverage and capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSRS capacityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple subbands and introduces a partial frequency sounding indicator (PF) to selectively activate specific subbands for SRS transmission. This segmentation allows the system to increase SRS capacity by utilizing more frequency resources while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through the PF mechanism that enables selective subband activation rather than requiring full-band configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic SRS resource allocation where the base station can dynamically adjust the partial frequency sounding indicator (PF) values and subband configurations based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt SRS capacity to varying network demands without requiring complex static pre-configuration, resolving the contradiction between capacity and configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If fixed SRS resource allocation is used, then configuration is simple, but frequency utilization efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency utilization efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms fixed SRS resource allocation into a dynamic system where resource allocation is adjusted based on channel conditions, traffic patterns, and interference levels. The base station dynamically configures PF values and subband assignments to optimize frequency utilization efficiency, achieving higher productivity while managing complexity through standardized dynamic adjustment mechanisms rather than arbitrary complex configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including PF values, subband sizes, and offset configurations to optimize SRS resource allocation. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on network conditions, the system achieves improved frequency utilization efficiency while the parameter change mechanism itself provides a structured approach to managing allocation complexity rather than requiring completely new complex allocation schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If full frequency band SRS transmission is used, then SRS coverage is maximized, but resource overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSRS coverageVSAvoidresource overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and activates only the necessary subbands for SRS transmission using the partial frequency sounding indicator (PF) mechanism. Instead of requiring full frequency band transmission, the system selectively extracts and activates specific subbands based on channel conditions and coverage requirements, thereby maintaining adequate SRS coverage while significantly reducing resource overhead by avoiding transmission in unnecessary frequency regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality optimization by configuring different PF values and subband assignments for different frequency regions based on local channel conditions and coverage requirements. This allows the system to maximize SRS coverage in critical areas while reducing resource overhead in areas with better channel conditions or lower traffic demands, achieving an optimized balance between coverage and overhead through localized configuration adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4298843B1Sounding reference signal configuration
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 APPLE INC
  • EP4298843B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4298843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4298843B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving one or more messages comprising sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information from a based station (BS), the SRS configuration information comprises a partial frequency sounding indicator and additional information associated with the partial frequency sounding indicator, and determines SRS resource allocation; and sending a SRS to the BS in accordance with the SRS configuration information.