Wireless Reference Signal Muting Signaling for Positioning Accuracy

Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE standards lack a standardized method for implementing and signaling reference signal muting in wireless communication networks, leading to increased processing complexity and reduced accuracy in positioning measurements due to unknown muting patterns and lack of coordination between cells.

Innovation Solution

A method for signaling reference signal muting information to receiving radio equipment, including dynamic muting patterns and coordinated control across multiple network cells, with muting configuration information specifying bandwidth, subframes, and occasions, allowing equipment to accurately determine when and how reference signals are muted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reference signal muting is implemented without standardized signaling, then interference management can be performed, but processing complexity increases and measurement accuracy decreases due to unknown muting patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference managementVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by signaling muting configuration information to the UE in advance before the actual muting occurs. The network provides muting pattern information, muting occasion indicators, and bandwidth parameters ahead of time, allowing the UE to prepare its measurement strategy and avoid blind searching during the positioning measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors positioning measurement results and adjusts muting configurations accordingly. The system uses measurement reports from the UE to optimize muting patterns, ensuring that muting does not degrade positioning accuracy while maintaining interference management benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If reference signal muting is implemented without standardized signaling, then interference management can be performed, but measurement accuracy decreases due to unknown muting patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference managementVSAvoidpositioning measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by signaling muting configuration information to the UE in advance before the actual muting occurs. The network provides muting pattern information, muting occasion indicators, and bandwidth parameters ahead of time, allowing the UE to prepare its measurement strategy and avoid blind searching during the positioning measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors positioning measurement results and adjusts muting configurations accordingly. The system uses measurement reports from the UE to optimize muting patterns, ensuring that muting does not degrade positioning accuracy while maintaining interference management benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic muting patterns are implemented without coordination, then flexibility in interference management is improved, but positioning performance deteriorates due to lack of coordination between cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in interference managementVSAvoidpositioning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by coordinating muting patterns across multiple cells through centralized control. The network ensures that muting patterns in different cells are synchronized and complementary, allowing UEs to measure reference signals from multiple cells without encountering simultaneous muting events that would degrade positioning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic muting patterns that can be adjusted in real-time based on network conditions and UE requirements. The system allows flexible configuration of muting parameters while maintaining coordination through standardized signaling, enabling adaptive interference management that preserves positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12120053B2Method and apparatus for muting signaling in a wireless communication network

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Controlling the transmission of reference signals in a wireless communication network includes transmitting reference signals at recurring occasions for use in making reference signal measurements at receiving radio equipment. The reference signals are muted in certain ones of the occasions according to a muting configuration. Muting configuration information indicating the muting configuration is transmitted to inform the receiving radio equipment of the muting configuration. The muting configuration information comprises a bandwidth parameter identifying the portion of reference signal bandwidth to which muting applies; and/or a subframes parameter indicating the number of consecutive subframes within an occasion to which muting applies; and/or a muting occasion parameter indicating occasions to which muting applies.