Uplink Channel Estimation With Port Reduction for MMSE-IRC Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing high data rates and low latency in 6G communication systems, particularly in terahertz bands, due to severe path loss and atmospheric absorption, which affect signal transmission distance and require advanced technologies for coverage and spectral efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing joint channel estimation and port reduction techniques using a base station (BS) that performs a joint operation with demodulation reference signals (DMRS) to identify combining weights, perform port reduction, and execute minimum mean-square error interference rejection combining (MMSE-IRC) for data reception, reducing antenna dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If joint channel estimation and port reduction operations are performed separately in conventional systems, then processing simplicity is maintained, but computational complexity and processing time increase for high data rate transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines channel estimation and port reduction operations into a single joint processing framework. The base station performs joint MMSE-IRC operations that simultaneously estimate channels and reduce port dimensions, merging two previously separate processing stages into one unified operation that reduces overall computational complexity while maintaining high data transmission rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If antenna dimensions are increased to improve signal coverage in terahertz bands, then coverage is enhanced, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coverageVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes redundant antenna ports through port reduction operations. By identifying and eliminating unnecessary ports from the antenna system while maintaining essential coverage functionality, the system achieves signal coverage enhancement without proportionally increasing device complexity and processing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of time

If separate channel estimation and port reduction operations are used, then processing steps are simple and clear, but processing time and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing latencyVSAvoidjoint operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges channel estimation and port reduction into joint MMSE-IRC operations that execute simultaneously. This unified approach processes both functions in one computational pass rather than sequentially, significantly reducing processing latency while the structured joint operation framework manages the increased computational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4645769A1Method and apparatus for joint channel estimation and port reduction for uplink data reception in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a 5G communication system or a 6G communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4G communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). Methods and apparatuses for joint channel estimation and port reduction for an uplink data reception in wireless communication systems. A method includes receiving, from a UE via an MMU, a DMRS; identifying a combining weight based on the DMRS; performing, based on the combining weight, a joint operation that performs a port reduction operation and a DMRS CE; and performing, based on the joint operation, a MMSE-IRC operation, in a reduce antenna dimension, for a data reception and the DMRS CE.