UE SRS Antenna Switching Configuration for Multi-TRP Parallel Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP New Radio (NR) Rel-15, uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) resource configuration is limited to supporting only UEs with 4 RX antenna ports, leading to sub-optimal antenna-switching configurations and increased latency and signaling overhead in multi-transmission reception point (TRP) deployments, as UEs with multiple RX antenna panels can only use sequential SRS resource sets, requiring reconfiguration which takes time and additional signaling.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) is configured to report candidate antenna-switching configurations for simultaneous uplink transmission, receive SRS resource configurations in both time and frequency domains, and transmit SRS signals in parallel to multiple TRPs using different SRS resources, allowing for simultaneous or sequential transmission with multiple antenna panels, reducing latency and signaling overhead while maintaining channel state information quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential SRS resource sets are used for multi-TRP transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but latency increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SRS resource configuration into multiple independent SRS resource sets, each associated with different TRPs. This allows the UE to transmit SRS to multiple TRPs simultaneously using different antenna panels, rather than sequentially switching between single-TRP configurations. The segmentation enables parallel transmission paths that reduce overall latency while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured resource organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to SRS transmission by enabling simultaneous transmission to multiple TRPs across different spatial dimensions. Instead of sequential time-based switching, the system utilizes multi-panel antenna architecture to transmit SRS resources in parallel to different TRPs, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the transmission methodology and reducing time-based latency.
2Device complexity
If sequential SRS resource sets are used for multi-TRP transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments SRS resources into multiple independent sets that can be simultaneously transmitted to different TRPs. This segmentation allows the network to acquire channel state information from multiple TRPs in parallel, significantly improving CSI acquisition efficiency. The UE reports antenna switching capabilities that enable the network to configure appropriate multi-TRP SRS resource sets, transforming the sequential CSI acquisition process into a parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert configuration environment by establishing pre-defined SRS resource sets that are independently configured for different TRPs. These pre-configured resource sets remain ready for simultaneous transmission, eliminating the need for dynamic reconfiguration and signaling overhead during operation, thus maintaining high productivity without increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If antenna switching configuration is reconfigured for insufficient SRS resource sets, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE report its antenna switching capabilities in advance to the network. Based on this pre-reported capability information, the network can proactively configure appropriate multi-TRP SRS resource sets before transmission begins. This preliminary configuration approach eliminates the need for time-consuming reconfiguration during operation, as the system is already adapted to the UE's capabilities from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the UE reports antenna switching capabilities to the network, which then uses this feedback information to configure appropriate SRS resource sets. This feedback loop enables the network to adaptively configure multi-TRP resources based on actual UE capabilities, improving adaptability without requiring subsequent reconfiguration time, as the initial configuration is already optimized based on received feedback.
4Adaptability or versatility
If antenna switching configuration is reconfigured for insufficient SRS resource sets, then adaptability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by having the UE report antenna switching capabilities once in advance. This single preliminary reporting action enables the network to configure multiple TRP-specific SRS resource sets without requiring additional signaling for reconfiguration. The adaptability is achieved through this initial capability exchange, eliminating the need for repeated signaling overhead during subsequent transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by having the network configure different SRS resource set parameters (such as resource allocation, frequency positions, and time patterns) based on the UE's reported antenna switching capabilities. These parameter changes are performed during the initial configuration phase, allowing the system to adapt to different UE capabilities without requiring additional signaling overhead during operation, as the parameters are already optimized based on capability reporting.
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment comprising: means configured to: report, to a network, antenna-switching configurations for the user equipment: receive, from the network, a configuration of sounding reference signal (SRS) resources; and transmit, in parallel, a first SRS using a first SRS resource of the SRS resources to a first transmission-reception point (TRP) and a second SRS of the SRS resources using a second SRS resource to a second TRP.