Access Node Uplink Resource Muting for UE Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and uplink reference signals (such as SRS) for user equipment localization and sensing, leading to lower range and velocity resolution due to the bursty nature of PUSCH and the unknown content at the access node.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a subset of resources allocated for uplink reference signal transmission is muted, allowing for improved energy efficiency by reallocating the saved energy to PUSCH and non-muted reference signals, thereby enhancing UE localization and sensing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If resources are allocated for both PUSCH transmissions and uplink reference signal transmissions, then communication and sensing functions are supported, but energy efficiency is reduced and range/velocity resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink resources into two distinct sets: a first set of resources for PUSCH transmissions and a second set of resources for uplink reference signal transmissions. This segmentation allows the system to allocate dedicated resources for sensing (reference signals) without interfering with communication resources, thereby improving range and velocity resolution while maintaining energy efficiency through proper resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension to resource allocation by configuring a subset of the second set of resources (for uplink reference signals) to have the same time-frequency characteristics as the first set of resources (for PUSCH). This dimensional overlap in the time-frequency domain allows both communication and sensing to coexist without mutual interference, improving measurement precision while managing energy consumption through coordinated resource usage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a subset of uplink reference signal resources is muted to reallocate energy, then energy efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio are improved, but the complexity of resource management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the access node configure and communicate the resource allocation scheme to the user equipment before actual transmissions occur. The access node sends configuration information indicating which resources should be muted and how energy should be reallocated, allowing the user equipment to prepare its transmission in advance. This reduces operational complexity during execution while achieving improved energy efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio.
Data Source
AI summary
An access node including means for: receiving, from a user equipment, a message for requesting allocation of one or more physical uplink shared channel resources; sending, to the user equipment, information indicating resources allocated for one or more physical uplink shared channel transmissions; sending, to a first network function, information indicating resources that are allocated for one or more physical uplink shared channel transmissions; receiving, from the first network function, information indicating that a subset of a plurality of resources allocated for uplink reference signal transmission are to be muted; sending, to a user equipment, the information indicating that the subset of a plurality of resources allocated for uplink reference signal transmission are to be muted; and receiving, from the user equipment, the one or more physical uplink shared channel transmissions and one or more uplink reference signal transmissions.