Sounding Reference Signal Switching via Transmit Path Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RF communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing sounding reference signals (SRS) due to switching time constraints, which impact data transport capacity and latency in 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mobile device with multiple transmit paths and power amplifiers allows for staggering symbol transmissions, enabling SRS switching without overhead on data transport by reusing transmit path resources, thereby achieving 0 μs SRS switching time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If SRS switching is implemented in conventional RF communication systems, then channel quality measurement capability is improved, but switching time constraints reduce data transport capacity and increase latency
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the transmit paths into separate segments (first transmit path and second transmit path) that can operate independently. This allows SRS signaling to be transmitted on one path while data transmission continues on another path, eliminating the need to stop data transmission for SRS switching and thus maintaining data transport capacity while enabling channel quality measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines SRS signaling and data transmission into parallel operations by using multiple transmit paths simultaneously. The baseband system generates both SRS symbols and data symbols that are transmitted through different power amplifiers and antenna elements, merging these functions in a way that eliminates mutual interference and switching delays.
2Measurement precision
If SRS switching is implemented in conventional RF communication systems, then channel quality measurement capability is improved, but switching time constraints increase latency
Solution Approach 1:
The transmit functionality is segmented into multiple independent paths, allowing SRS transmission to occur concurrently with data transmission rather than sequentially. This eliminates the switching time that would otherwise be required to transition between SRS and data modes, thereby reducing latency while maintaining channel quality measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous data transmission across all transmit paths while simultaneously enabling SRS transmission on dedicated paths. This continuity ensures that there are no interruptions or gaps in data transmission during SRS switching, eliminating the latency that would result from stopping and resuming data transmission.
3Productivity
If multiple transmit paths are used for SRS switching, then SRS signaling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple transmit paths and power amplifiers are designed to serve dual functions: they can transmit both data symbols and SRS symbols depending on the configuration. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve efficient SRS signaling without requiring dedicated separate hardware for each function, thereby reducing the effective complexity increase despite the additional transmit paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The baseband system dynamically configures which transmit paths and power amplifiers are used for SRS transmission versus data transmission based on current channel conditions and requirements. This dynamic allocation allows the system to optimize SRS signaling efficiency while minimizing the active use of hardware components, effectively managing device complexity through intelligent resource allocation rather than permanent hardware duplication.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for sounding reference signal (SRS) switching are provided. In certain embodiments, transmit path resources of user equipment (UE) are used to reduce or eliminate the impairment of SRS upon transport capacity. Furthermore, the transmit path resources can be used for other purposes, and thus SRS switching time can be reduced by re-using transmit path resources that may be included for other purposes. The teachings herein can be used to achieve SRS switching of 0 μs, thereby eliminating the impact of switching timing constraints for SRS symbols on transport capacity.