Uplink MIMO Layer Control for 8-Layer Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio communication systems, such as Rel-15 NR, face challenges in controlling uplink (UL) transmission of a greater number of layers, which is essential for increasing spectral efficiency, as they lack clear methods for recognizing antenna configurations of user equipment (UE) and managing UL transmission effectively.
Innovation Solution
A terminal with a control section that determines the number of antenna ports and layers, and a transmitting section that transmits a physical uplink shared channel using a limited number of layers, allowing for appropriate control of UL transmission by reporting UE capabilities and configuring antenna use methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UL transmission of a greater number of layers is supported to increase spectral efficiency, then communication throughput is improved, but control complexity and specification complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of layer number from the conventional limit of 4 layers to support up to 8 layers in uplink MIMO transmission. This parameter change directly increases spectral efficiency and communication throughput while maintaining manageable control complexity through standardized signaling methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control of UL MIMO transmission into distinct components: UE capability reporting for antenna configuration, gNB determination of antenna ports and layers, and separate signaling for codebook-based and non-codebook-based transmission. This segmentation makes the complex 8-layer transmission controllable through modular, standardized procedures.
2Productivity
If UL transmission of a greater number of layers is supported, then spectral efficiency is improved, but specification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal signaling mechanisms that work for both 4-layer and 8-layer transmissions. The UE capability reporting framework, antenna port determination procedures, and codebook signaling methods are designed to be multi-functional, handling different layer configurations through standardized parameter sets rather than requiring separate specifications for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation mechanisms where the gNB determines the actual number of antenna ports and layers based on UE capability reports and current channel conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to flexibly support up to 8 layers when needed while falling back to fewer layers when appropriate, without requiring rigid specification changes for every possible configuration.
3Productivity
If the number of antenna ports is increased beyond 4, then UL MIMO capacity is improved, but DCI overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by allowing the gNB to determine and signal only the actual number of antenna ports and layers needed for each transmission, rather than requiring full 8-layer configuration to be always active. This enables the system to support up to 8 layers (excessive capability) while using only the necessary subset (partial action) for each specific transmission, thereby limiting DCI overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses codebook-based transmission where pre-defined codebooks for up to 8 layers are stored at both UE and gNB. Instead of signaling all 8 layers explicitly in DCI, the system references predefined codebook entries, effectively copying known configurations and reducing the amount of information that needs to be transmitted in control signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control section that determines a number M of antenna ports and a number N of layers being smaller than M, and a transmitting section that transmits a physical uplink shared channel by using N layers. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, UL transmission of a greater number of layers can be appropriately controlled.