UE Coordination for CSI Feedback in 5G Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in 3GPP LTE and 5G NR networks, UEs independently perform CSI measurement and reporting, leading to inefficient power usage and increased system overhead due to redundant measurements and reports.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of UE coordination for CSI measurement and reporting, where UEs within a coordination group can share CSI measurements and reports, with modes allowing either all UEs to perform measurements or only one UE to perform measurements and report on behalf of the group.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If UEs independently perform CSI measurement and reporting, then each UE obtains accurate channel state information, but power consumption increases and system overhead increases due to redundant measurements and reports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel state information accuracyVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple UEs are grouped into coordination groups where they share CSI measurement results and reporting responsibilities. Instead of each UE independently measuring and reporting CSI, UEs within a group coordinate to perform measurements collectively and share the reporting burden, thereby reducing redundant operations while maintaining accurate channel state information for all UEs in the group.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A designated reporting UE within a coordination group performs CSI measurements on behalf of other UEs in the group. This reporting UE serves multiple functions: it measures CSI for itself, collects CSI information from other UEs in the group, and reports aggregated CSI information to the base station. This multi-functional approach eliminates redundant measurements while ensuring all UEs receive accurate channel state information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If UEs independently perform CSI measurement and reporting, then each UE obtains accurate channel state information, but system overhead increases due to redundant measurements and reports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel state information accuracyVSAvoidsystem overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple UEs are grouped into coordination groups where they share CSI measurement results and reporting responsibilities. Instead of each UE independently measuring and reporting CSI, UEs within a group coordinate to perform measurements collectively and share the reporting burden, thereby reducing redundant operations while maintaining accurate channel state information for all UEs in the group.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A designated reporting UE within a coordination group performs CSI measurements on behalf of other UEs in the group. This reporting UE serves multiple functions: it measures CSI for itself, collects CSI information from other UEs in the group, and reports aggregated CSI information to the base station. This multi-functional approach eliminates redundant measurements while ensuring all UEs receive accurate channel state information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If UEs coordinate CSI measurement and reporting, then power consumption and system overhead are reduced, but measurement and reporting accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidchannel state information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides UEs into coordination groups where each group operates semi-independently. Within each group, UEs share measurement resources and reporting responsibilities, but the groups themselves remain distinct entities that can be independently managed by the base station. This segmentation allows coordinated operation within groups (reducing power consumption) while maintaining the ability to obtain accurate channel state information for each group's members through coordinated measurement strategies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station receives coordinated CSI reports from coordination groups and uses this feedback to make scheduling and resource allocation decisions. The feedback mechanism ensures that even though UEs share measurement and reporting responsibilities, the base station still receives accurate and comprehensive channel state information necessary for optimal network performance, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing UE power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12225401B2Systems and methods for UE coordination based CSI feedback

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods provide user equipment (UE) coordinated channel state information (CSI) measurement and reporting. One or both of a first UE and a second UE may perform CSI measurement, but only the first UE sends a CSI report to a base station.