UE-Driven SRS Frequency Selection for 5G Uplink Channel Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G/NR wireless communications, base stations face challenges in timely detection of deteriorating uplink channel conditions due to the base-station-driven SRS transmission approach, which limits real-time channel estimation and optimal uplink communication performance.

Innovation Solution

The UE autonomously determines different frequency locations within operating bands for SRS transmission, allowing the base station to analyze channel conditions and reconfigure uplink channels for improved propagation characteristics, enabling timely and accurate channel estimations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the base station drives SRS transmission configuration, then the system maintains centralized control and configuration simplicity, but the base station cannot timely detect deteriorating uplink channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel condition detection timelinessVSAvoidUE autonomous frequency location selection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously determines frequency locations for SRS transmission without base station configuration. The UE independently selects frequency locations based on uplink channel conditions, performs SRS transmission, and reports results to the base station, enabling self-service channel quality assessment that timely detects deteriorating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional base-station-driven SRS configuration approach by allowing the UE to autonomously select frequency locations. This role reversal enables the UE to proactively identify and report channel condition changes, making the system responsive to actual uplink conditions rather than relying on base station guesses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the UE transmits SRS only at base station-configured frequency locations, then the configuration process is simple, but the base station cannot obtain comprehensive channel quality information across different frequency regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel quality estimation accuracyVSAvoidfrequency location determination and reporting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE evaluates channel conditions at multiple local frequency locations independently and reports only the desirable locations to the base station. This allows the base station to obtain precise channel quality information for specific frequency regions without the complexity of configuring and monitoring all possible frequency locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the UE to report all frequency location measurements, the patent uses partial action by reporting only the desirable frequency locations. This reduces the information burden while still providing the base station with sufficient channel quality data for uplink scheduling decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the base station uses traditional SRS transmission approach, then the system operation is straightforward, but uplink communication performance deteriorates under varying channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink communication throughputVSAvoidchannel condition adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static base station-configured frequency locations to dynamic UE-autonomous selection. The UE continuously monitors uplink channel conditions and adapts frequency location selection in real-time, enabling the system to maintain high uplink throughput under varying channel conditions by dynamically adjusting to desirable frequency regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs SRS transmission at autonomously selected frequency locations and reports the results to the base station. This feedback mechanism enables the base station to understand actual uplink channel conditions and adjust scheduling decisions accordingly, improving uplink communication performance through continuous adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240322968A1User equipment driven sounding reference signal transmissions in different frequency locations

Publication Date: 2024.09.26 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

1. Techniques related to user-device-driven sounding reference signals (SRS) transmission using different zones of operating frequency bands are disclosed. In one example aspect, a method for wireless communication includes receiving, by a wireless device, configuration information for a sounding reference signal from a base station in a first frequency region of an operating frequency band and determining, by the wireless device, one or more configured frequency positions for transmitting the sounding reference signal based on the frequency domain information of a sounding reference signal resource. The method also includes determining, by the wireless device, an additional frequency position within a second frequency region that is different from the first frequency region. The method further includes transmitting, by the wireless device, the sounding reference signal to the base station using the one or more configured frequency positions and the additional frequency position.