Terminal Device Uplink Reference Signal Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in achieving optimal uplink performance and coverage for terminal devices, particularly for non-coherent devices with multiple antennas, due to limitations in power amplifiers and phase control, leading to suboptimal power transmission and reduced user throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method where a terminal device with multiple physical antenna ports transmits all uplink reference signals through the port with the highest power amplifier, ensuring full output power utilization and guaranteeing the use of high-power amplifiers for critical transmissions, thereby enhancing coverage and user throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If all uplink reference signals are transmitted through the physical antenna port with the highest power amplifier, then output power is increased by up to 6 dB and coverage is improved, but the ability to perform spatial multiplexing and MIMO operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reference signal transmission by allocating different reference signals to different antenna ports based on their intended use. Critical signals (e.g., SRS for uplink channel sounding) are transmitted through the highest-power amplifier for maximum coverage, while other reference signals can utilize additional antenna ports to maintain spatial multiplexing capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power delivery for critical functions without permanently sacrificing MIMO productivity.
2Reliability
If multiple physical antenna ports are equipped with power amplifiers, then transmission diversity and reliability are improved, but power distribution becomes complex and total output power is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different power levels and roles to different power amplifiers based on their capabilities and the specific transmission requirements. The highest-power amplifier is designated for critical reference signal transmission to ensure reliability and coverage, while other amplifiers with lower power capabilities handle secondary functions. This differentiated approach maintains transmission diversity and reliability without requiring complex real-time power distribution across all amplifiers.
3Device complexity
If the terminal device uses non-coherent transmission with multiple antennas, then implementation complexity is reduced, but uplink performance and spectral efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing channel estimation and precoder selection based on reference signals that are transmitted with optimized power through the highest-power amplifier. The network node uses these high-quality reference signal measurements to determine appropriate precoders and transmission parameters before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary optimization compensates for the lack of coherent phase control, allowing non-coherent devices to achieve better uplink spectral efficiency without requiring complex real-time phase synchronization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
There is provided mechanisms for transmission of reference signals. A method is performed by a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least two physical antenna ports. Each physical antenna port is fed by its own power amplifier. The method comprises transmitting, in only the physical antenna port is fed by the power amplifier configured for highest total output power of all the power amplifiers, as many uplink reference signals as there are physical antenna ports in total.