Uplink Zero-Power Reference Signals for Neighboring-Cell Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communications networks, terminal devices experience interference from neighboring cells during data transmission, leading to incorrect demodulation of received signals and transmission failures.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device sets a zero power reference signal in the uplink signal, allowing the network device to estimate neighboring cell interference and perform interference cancellation, thereby improving demodulation performance and transmission capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data transmission is performed in mobile communications network, then data transmission capability is provided, but interference from neighboring cells causes demodulation failure and transmission failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission success rateVSAvoidinterference from neighboring cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful interference from neighboring cells into a measurable signal by introducing zero-power reference signals. These signals allow the network device to estimate and measure the interference characteristics, then use this information for interference cancellation and compensation, transforming the harmful interference into useful information for improving transmission reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces zero-power reference signals as an intermediary element between the transmitting and receiving devices. These reference signals serve as a mediator that carries interference information from the neighboring cells to the network device, enabling interference estimation and cancellation without affecting the actual data transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If zero power reference signal is set in uplink signal, then interference measurement accuracy is improved, but signal structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement accuracyVSAvoidsignal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing zero-power reference signals only at specific time-frequency resource positions where interference measurement is needed, rather than modifying the entire signal structure. This localized approach enables accurate interference measurement while minimizing the impact on overall signal structure complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by configuring zero-power reference signals only in certain resource elements where interference estimation is required, rather than applying interference measurement techniques across all signal resources. This selective approach balances measurement accuracy with signal structure simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4184816B1Uplink transmission method and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4184816B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4184816B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4184816B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3D

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an uplink transmission method and a related apparatus. The method includes: A terminal device sends, to a network device, an uplink signal that includes a zero power reference signal, where in a time-frequency resource for sending the uplink signal, transmit power of the uplink signal within a range of a time-frequency resource of the zero power reference signal is zero. Technical solutions provided in this application can enable a base station to measure uplink transmission interference, to improve performance of transmitting data by the terminal device to the network device.