Zero Power Resource Configuration for Interference Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, inter-cell interference reduces system throughput due to incorrect channel state information feedback from user equipment (UE) caused by unaccounted interference from adjacent cells, necessitating a method to minimize interference and enhance channel state measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus configure resources for zero transmission power using defined resource sets for antenna ports, transmitting resource information to indicate muted resources, allowing accurate channel and interference measurement by distinguishing between reference signals for channel estimation and demodulation, and reducing transmission overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If resource muting is configured to minimize inter-cell interference, then channel state measurement accuracy is improved, but transmission overhead increases due to additional signaling required to indicate muted resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel state measurement accuracyVSAvoidtransmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by defining resource sets for channel measurement that can be universally applied across different antenna port configurations. The same resource set definitions serve multiple purposes: they identify both the resources to be muted for interference measurement and the resources for actual channel measurement, eliminating the need for separate signaling mechanisms and reducing overall transmission overhead while maintaining measurement accuracy.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If resource sets are defined according to the number of antenna ports, then adaptability to different transmission configurations is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple resource set definitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to antenna port configurationsVSAvoidresource set configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by defining resource sets based on the number of antenna ports (e.g., 2, 4, or 8 ports). Each antenna port configuration has its corresponding resource set definition with specific time-frequency resource patterns. This allows the system to adapt to different transmission configurations by simply changing the parameter of antenna port count, while the resource set definitions provide a structured framework that manages complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If zero transmission power resources are configured for interference measurement, then inter-cell interference impact is reduced, but system throughput decreases due to lost data transmission opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interference impactVSAvoidsystem throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by configuring resource muting in a periodic manner rather than continuously. The muted resources are distributed periodically in time and frequency domains, allowing the system to minimize inter-cell interference impact during measurement periods while maintaining data transmission during non-muted periods. This periodic approach ensures that interference measurement can be performed effectively without permanently sacrificing system throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2603990B1Method and base station for transmitting downlink signal and method and equipment for receiving downlink signal
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2603990B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2603990B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)
  • EP2603990B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A base station of the present invention configures resources in which a downlink signal is to be transmitted with zero power using resource sets defined for a specific number of antenna ports, regardless of the number of antenna ports actually configured in the base station, and transmits resource information indicating the configured resources to a user equipment. The user equipment of the present invention receives a downlink transmission from the base station, assuming that transmission power of resources corresponding to a resource set indicated by the resource information is zero.