UE CSI-RS Measurement During RAN Antenna Port Muting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR networks, RAN node muting of antenna ports for energy savings leads to UEs collecting invalid CSI-RS measurements, consuming excessive energy and resources due to unawareness of muting, which is typically a medium-to-long-term action.
Innovation Solution
UEs are configured to detect muted RAN node antenna ports by observing zero energy or configuration deviations, refraining from measuring on muted ports and continuing on unmuted ones, reducing invalid measurements without network intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If RAN node uses increased number of antenna ports to support maximum UE capability, then network coverage and throughput are improved, but RAN node energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN node dynamically adapts the number of configured logical and physical antenna ports based on actual network conditions and UE requirements. Instead of statically using all available antenna ports, the system adjusts the active antenna port count to match current demand, enabling energy savings when maximum capability is not needed while maintaining performance when required.
2Measurement precision
If RAN node transmits larger number of CSI-RS on increased antenna ports, then channel characterization accuracy is improved, but DL radio resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of CSI-RS transmission by adapting the number of CSI-RS ports to match the number of actively configured antenna ports. When antenna ports are muted for energy savings, the corresponding CSI-RS transmissions are also reduced or eliminated, preventing waste of DL radio resources on ports that are not actively transmitting data.
3Reliability
If UE continues monitoring muted CSI-RS ports, then measurement coverage is maintained, but UE energy consumption increases and invalid measurements are collected
Solution Approach 1:
The UE monitors the actual transmission status of CSI-RS ports and uses this feedback information to determine which ports are muted. Based on this feedback, the UE adjusts its measurement behavior by ceasing to monitor muted ports, thereby avoiding invalid measurements and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable measurements on actively transmitting ports.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If RAN node performs medium-to-long-term muting of antenna ports, then energy savings are achieved, but UE measurements become invalid without network notification
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously detects the muting status of antenna ports by monitoring CSI-RS transmission patterns without requiring explicit notification from the network. This self-service approach allows the UE to independently adapt its measurement behavior to the actual transmission status, eliminating the need for additional signaling while preventing invalid measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods for a user equipment, UE, configured to operate in a radio access network, RAN. Such methods include receiving, from a RAN node, a configuration for measurement and reporting by the UE. The configuration identifies the following: radio resources on which reference signals, RS, are or will be transmitted by the RAN node, and a mapping of the identified radio resources to a plurality of RAN node antenna ports used to transmit the RS. Such methods include determining that a first subset of the RAN node antenna ports are muted and subsequently refraining from receiving and measuring RS in radio resources that map to the first subset of RAN node antenna ports determined to be muted. Other embodiments include complementary methods for a RAN node, as well as UEs and RAN nodes configured to perform such methods.