Uplink Channel Estimation via High-Intensity Reference Signal Bursts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In next-generation wireless communication networks, large antenna arrays lead to uplink-downlink power asymmetry, making uplink channel estimation difficult, and the increased use of short downlink bursts reduces the time for effective channel estimation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-contained subframes with multiple reference signal bursts facilitates channel quality estimation by allowing wireless devices to transmit multiple reference signal bursts within the same subframe, enabling improved beamforming operations and channel estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If large antenna arrays are used to increase network capacity and coverage, then system coverage and capacity are improved, but uplink-downlink power asymmetry increases making uplink channel estimation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting reference signal bursts in advance within the uplink portion of the subframe before actual data transmission. This allows the receiving device to perform channel estimation proactively, compensating for the power asymmetry issue caused by large antenna arrays. The reference signals are sent ahead of time so that channel conditions can be measured and compensated for before the actual communication occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by increasing the density and intensity of reference signal bursts in the uplink direction. Instead of using traditional sparse reference signals, the system transmits multiple high-intensity reference signal bursts uniformly spaced across the uplink subframe. This parameter change in signal density and intensity compensates for the path loss asymmetry introduced by large antenna arrays.
2Productivity
If short downlink bursts are used to increase productivity and resource efficiency, then network productivity is improved, but the time available for effective channel estimation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional time-based channel estimation to a multi-dimensional approach by distributing reference signal bursts uniformly across both time and frequency resources within the uplink subframe. Instead of relying solely on extended time duration, the system uses multiple reference signal bursts at different time instances and frequency positions, allowing channel estimation to occur in parallel across multiple dimensions, thus achieving accurate estimation without extending the overall subframe duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action by transmitting reference signal bursts at uniformly spaced intervals throughout the uplink subframe. This periodic transmission pattern ensures that channel conditions are sampled at multiple regular time points, enabling effective channel estimation even within short subframe durations. The periodic nature of reference signal transmission provides consistent measurement opportunities without consuming excessive time resources.
3Measurement precision
If multiple reference signal bursts are transmitted in the same subframe to improve channel estimation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but uplink signal power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the uplink subframe into multiple segments, each containing reference signal bursts at uniformly spaced positions. Instead of transmitting one high-power reference signal, the system segments the reference signal transmission into multiple lower-power bursts distributed across the subframe. This segmentation allows the receiver to combine measurements from multiple segments, achieving high estimation accuracy while keeping individual transmission power levels manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure provide a wireless device that communicates with another wireless device utilizing self-contained subframes. The wireless device communicates with a scheduling entity utilizing a plurality of self-contained subframes that include a first subframe and a second subframe. Each of the self-contained subframes includes an uplink (UL) portion and a downlink (DL) portion. The wireless device further receives DL control information from the scheduling entity in the DL portion of the first subframe, and transmits UL data that includes a plurality of reference signal bursts to the scheduling entity in the UL portion of the first subframe. The plurality of reference signal bursts are uniformly spaced in at least a portion of the UL portion of the first subframe.