Uplink SRI Overhead Reduction via Dynamic SRS Subset Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In new radio (NR) systems, the inefficiency in uplink data transmission arises from the unavailability of some SRS resources or SRI indication states, leading to wasted SRI overhead due to the need for different channel sounding reference signals for each panel with independent radio frequency channels.

Innovation Solution

A method where a terminal device receives subset constraint indication information from a network device to determine a target SRS resource subset, reducing SRI overhead by limiting unnecessary SRI indication contents and optimizing transmission parameters for uplink data transmission across multiple panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different SRS resources are configured for different panels to acquire uplink channel information, then transmission parameters can be optimized for each panel, but SRI overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission reliabilityVSAvoidSRI overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SRS resource set into multiple subsets, where each subset corresponds to a specific panel. The network device configures multiple SRS resource sets (e.g., first SRS resource set for first panel, second SRS resource set for second panel), and indicates subsets through DCI. This segmentation allows the terminal to acquire channel information for each panel independently while reducing the overall SRI overhead by only indicating the relevant subset rather than individual resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic subset indication through DCI (Downlink Control Information). The network device can dynamically indicate which SRS resource subset should be used for current uplink transmission based on real-time channel conditions and panel availability. This dynamic approach allows flexible adaptation without permanently allocating SRI resources for all possible panels, thereby reducing overhead while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If SRI indication is provided for all panels, then complete channel information is available, but unnecessary SRI overhead is wasted when some panels are unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel adaptabilityVSAvoidSRI overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing SRI indication for all panels (excessive action), the patent applies partial action by configuring multiple SRS resource sets and indicating only the relevant subset through DCI. The terminal device determines the target SRS resource based on the indicated subset, which corresponds to the available panel. This partial indication approach maintains adaptability to different panel configurations while avoiding the waste of indicating unavailable panels, thus reducing SRI overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SRS resource sets are configured for multiple panels, then independent transmission parameters can be acquired, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-panel transmission capabilityVSAvoidSRS resource configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal framework where multiple SRS resource sets are configured with similar structures and parameters, but associated with different panels. Each SRS resource set follows the same configuration pattern (time-frequency resources, precoding, etc.), making the system multi-functional yet standardized. The network device indicates the relevant subset through DCI, and the terminal applies the same processing logic regardless of which subset is indicated, thereby reducing complexity through universality while maintaining multi-panel adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3986066B1Method for uplink data transmission, terminal device and network device
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3986066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3986066B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3986066B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The embodiments of the present application relate to a method for uplink data transmission, a terminal device and a network device. The method comprises: receiving subset constraint indication information of an SRS resource sent by a network device, wherein the subset constraint indication information is used for indicating at least one available SRS resource subset; according to the subset constraint indication information, determining the length of an SRI, sent by the network device, in DCI for scheduling uplink data transmission; according to the length of the SRI, determining a target SRI from the DCI; determining, in the at least one available SRS resource subset, a target SRS resource subset corresponding to the target SRI; and according to the target SRS resource subset, determining a transmission parameter used for the uplink data transmission. The method for uplink data transmission, the terminal device and the network device in the embodiments of the present application can reduce the overheads of an SRI.