UL Transmission Mode Control for Multi-Panel Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, the appropriate control of uplink (UL) transmission using multiple panels is not sufficiently addressed, leading to potential degradation of system performance such as throughput.

Innovation Solution

A terminal equipped with a receiving section to receive information on transmission modes and a control section to judge the size of valid bits in downlink control information (DCI) for scheduling UL transmission, based on sounding reference signal (SRS) resource sets, enabling appropriate control of UL transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If UL transmission using multiple panels is supported to improve throughput, then system capacity and data rates are improved, but control complexity and difficulty of managing transmission modes increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control of UL transmission by dividing it into distinct transmission modes (first transmission mode and second transmission mode) that can be independently controlled. The terminal device can be configured to support multiple transmission modes, allowing the system to switch between single-panel and multi-panel transmission based on channel conditions and QoS requirements, thereby managing complexity through structured division of transmission scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between different transmission modes based on real-time channel conditions and traffic requirements. The terminal device can dynamically adjust its UL transmission configuration, transitioning between transmission modes as needed, which allows the system to optimize throughput while managing control complexity through adaptive rather than static configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If simultaneous multi-panel transmission is supported to improve reliability, then UL transmission reliability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring transmission parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUL transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddifficulty of judging valid bits
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of predefined mapping relationships between transmission modes and DCI field configurations. The base station configures the terminal with specific mapping rules that define how many valid bits should be present in DCI fields for each transmission mode. This intermediary mapping layer simplifies the detection process by providing clear, pre-established rules rather than requiring complex real-time analysis of transmission parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission modes are configured to improve adaptability, then system adaptability is improved, but loss of information occurs due to ambiguous DCI field interpretation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission mode adaptabilityVSAvoidinformation loss in DCI
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station configures the terminal with explicit information about the number of valid bits in DCI fields based on the configured transmission modes. This feedback loop ensures that both the base station and terminal have consistent understanding of the DCI structure, preventing information loss. The configuration information is transmitted through RRC signaling or other higher-layer protocols, ensuring both parties operate with the same knowledge base

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4676146A1Terminal, wireless communication method, and base station
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4676146A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4676146A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4676146A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a receiving section that receives information related to a transmission mode when application or switching of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode is supported; and a control section that judges a size of valid bits of each of the transmission modes in a given field of downlink control information (DCI) for scheduling UL transmission, based on a parameter corresponding to a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set associated with the transmission mode.