Uplink Channel Sounding Across Multiple Bandwidth Parts
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently performing uplink channel sounding across multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), particularly for mid-tier user equipment (UEs) with limited maximum reception bandwidth, which hinders spectral efficiency and congestion control in networks with a large number of reduced capability UEs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of aperiodic SRS transmission between UL BWPs using a group common DCI format or UE-specific DCI format, allowing for flexible scheduling and channel sounding across multiple component carriers, and supporting periodic/semi-persistent SRS transmission based on transmission gaps, enabling efficient channel estimation and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mid-tier UEs with limited maximum reception bandwidth perform uplink channel sounding across multiple BWPs, then spectral efficiency and network congestion control are improved, but the device complexity and scheduling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink channel sounding process by dividing the carrier bandwidth into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), each with its own SRS resource sets. This allows mid-tier UEs with limited reception bandwidth to perform channel sounding across multiple BWPs in a manageable manner, improving spectral efficiency while controlling complexity through structured segmentation of the sounding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring SRS resource sets for each UL BWP before actual channel sounding is needed. The base station configures multiple SRS resource sets corresponding to different BWPs, and the UE selects appropriate resources based on triggered BWPs. This pre-configuration reduces scheduling overhead during actual operation by avoiding real-time resource allocation decisions.
2Measurement precision
If aperiodic SRS transmission is implemented across multiple UL BWPs using group common DCI format, then channel sounding coverage is improved, but the signaling complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by using a group common DCI format that can trigger aperiodic SRS transmission across multiple UL BWPs simultaneously. This single DCI format serves multiple purposes: it identifies triggered BWPs, indicates corresponding SRS resource sets, and coordinates transmission timing for multiple carriers at once. This multi-functional approach improves channel estimation accuracy while managing signaling complexity through a unified control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically selecting which BWPs and SRS resource sets are activated based on the DCI triggering. The UE determines the set of triggered BWPs and corresponds SRS resource sets by interpreting parameters in the DCI format. This dynamic parameter selection allows flexible channel sounding across multiple BWPs while reducing processing complexity by only configuring active resources rather than all possible resources.
3Reliability
If periodic/semi-persistent SRS transmission is used based on transmission gaps, then channel sounding continuity is improved, but the time resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing regular transmission gaps between periodic or semi-persistent SRS transmissions. These transmission gaps provide structured time intervals that ensure channel sounding continuity while managing time resource consumption. The periodic structure allows the network to predict when SRS transmissions will occur, improving reliability through consistent measurement opportunities while controlling time loss through regularized scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing flexible configuration of transmission gap durations and SRS transmission timing. The transmission gap parameters can be dynamically adjusted based on channel conditions, UE capabilities, and network requirements. This dynamic adaptation ensures channel sounding continuity is maintained when needed while reducing time resource consumption by extending gaps when continuous sounding is not critical, optimizing the balance between reliability and time efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for uplink (UL) channel sounding between bandwidth parts (BWPs). A method for operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving first information for a set of UL BWPs of a serving cell, wherein the set of UL BWPs includes more than one UL BWP and receiving second information, for each UL BWP from the set of UL BWPs, for sounding reference signal (SRS) resource sets. The method further includes determining, for each UL BWP from the set of UL BWPs, corresponding first SRS resources from the SRS resource sets and transmitting a SRS, in each UL BWP from the set of UL BWPs, using the corresponding first SRS resources.