Wireless Signal Transmission Using Variable OFDM Symbol Lengths

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Millimeter wave communication systems face challenges in reducing system overhead due to the large number of reference signals required for beam acquisition, which decreases overall system capacity and antenna gain.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring different OFDM symbol lengths for data and reference signals based on communication characteristics, such as user terminal velocities and environments, to minimize the number of reference signals needed for beamforming, thereby reducing system overhead and increasing antenna gain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of reference signals is increased to improve beam acquisition performance, then beamforming accuracy is improved, but system overhead increases and system capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam acquisition performanceVSAvoidsystem capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference signal transmission into two distinct phases: initial beam acquisition phase requiring comprehensive beam coverage, and subsequent data transmission phase using established beams. This segmentation allows the system to use more reference signals only when necessary for beam selection, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall system overhead while maintaining beam acquisition performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic beam refinement where the system transitions from frequent reference signal transmission during beam acquisition to less frequent transmission during stable communication. Beam refinement protocols are triggered periodically or based on event conditions (such as beam quality degradation), allowing the system to maintain accurate beamforming while reducing reference signal overhead during stable operation periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Length of stationary object

If beamforming is applied to mitigate propagation path loss, then propagation distance is increased, but system overhead increases due to beam management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepropagation distanceVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary beam acquisition and refinement before actual data transmission begins. During this preliminary phase, the system establishes optimal transmit and receive beams using reference signals and feedback mechanisms. Once beams are established, the system maintains propagation distance benefits while reducing overhead by relying on the pre-configured beam directions rather than continuously managing beams during data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service beam maintenance where the system uses implicit feedback from received signal quality to automatically adjust and maintain beam directions without requiring explicit beam management signaling. The receiver monitors signal quality and triggers beam refinement only when necessary, allowing the beamforming system to maintain propagation distance benefits while minimizing the overhead associated with continuous beam management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2792116B1Apparatus and method for transmitting signal in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2792116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2792116B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2792116B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An apparatus and method for transmitting a signal needed for beam acquisition in a wireless communication system operating in a super-high frequency band are provided, in which a small reference modulation symbol length relative to a data modulation symbol length is determined, taking into account a communication characteristic of a Mobile Station (MS), a data modulation symbol generated by modulating a data signal using a predetermined modulation scheme is transmitted according to the determined data modulation symbol length, and a reference modulation symbol generated by modulating a reference signal using the predetermined modulation scheme is transmitted according to the determined reference modulation symbol length.