Uplink Reference-Signal Path-Loss Tracking for Beam Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for tracking reference signal path losses in uplink transmissions experience a significant mismatch between the application of new spatial relations and path-loss RS indications, leading to incorrect power compensation and degraded UL signal quality due to high-frequency propagation losses and limited UE capabilities in maintaining path-loss RSs.

Innovation Solution

Implement mechanisms for pre-activating candidate path-loss RSs and establishing priority rules to ensure timely and accurate path-loss estimation, allowing UEs to associate and apply calculated path-loss estimates with updated UL transmission beams, thereby reducing latency and improving power compensation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If MAC-CE commands for updating spatial relation and path-loss RS are transmitted through the same PDSCH, then the beam indication is updated, but a long-time mismatch occurs between the updated spatial relation and the updated path-loss RS indication

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBeam update speedVSAvoidPath-loss measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a preliminary action by having the UE maintain multiple path-loss RS estimates in advance (current active path-loss RS estimate and at least one candidate path-loss RS estimate) before the spatial relation update is applied. This allows the path-loss estimate to be ready and synchronized when the new spatial relation becomes active, eliminating the mismatch delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the UE waits for ACK signal plus 3 ms plus measurement samples before applying new path-loss RS estimates, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the latency increases significantly to approximately 100 ms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePath-loss measurement accuracyVSAvoidPath-loss update latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs path-loss RS measurements and maintains candidate path-loss RS estimates in advance, before the spatial relation update is applied. This preliminary measurement action ensures that accurate path-loss estimates are ready when needed, reducing the update latency while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic switching between multiple path-loss RS estimates. The UE maintains both current and candidate path-loss RS estimates and can switch between them based on spatial relation updates. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt quickly to changing spatial relations while maintaining accurate path-loss measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If incorrect path-loss compensation is applied due to mismatched path-loss RS, then the UL transmission power control becomes inaccurate, but the system continues to operate without additional complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePath-loss tracking system complexityVSAvoidUplink transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By maintaining multiple path-loss RS estimates in advance and switching to the appropriate candidate estimate when spatial relations are updated, the system ensures accurate path-loss compensation is applied from the start of the new spatial relation, preventing incorrect power control without adding significant complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4070586B1Methods and systems for tracking reference signal path losses in uplink transmissions
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ZTE CORP
  • EP4070586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4070586B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4070586B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems for controlling a transmit power of a wireless communication device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining one or more reference signals transmitted by a wireless communication node; maintaining one or more path loss estimates for the one or more reference signals; associating at least one path loss estimate with an uplink (UL) signal; calculating a transmission power of the UL signal according to the at least one path loss estimate; and transmitting the UL signal in accordance with the calculated transmission power.