Method And Apparatus For Transmitting Reference Signal For Frequency Offset Estimation In New Wireless Communication System
Patent No. US11569958 (titled "Method And Apparatus For Transmitting Reference Signal For Frequency Offset Estimation In New Wireless Communication System") was filed by Kt Corp on May 6, 2021.
What is this patent about?
’958 is related to the field of wireless communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of frequency offset estimation in new radio (NR) systems. Existing LTE/LTE-Advanced systems rely on synchronization signals (PSS/SSS) for initial synchronization and common reference signals (CRS) for fine-tuning frequency offset. However, NR systems aim for more flexible numerology and reduced overhead, making traditional CRS approaches less desirable. This patent addresses the need for a new reference signal design suitable for NR's flexible frame structures.
The underlying idea behind ’958 is to introduce a new reference signal specifically designed for frequency offset estimation in NR systems. This signal is transmitted alongside the synchronization signal but occupies different resources, allowing for independent optimization. The key insight is to provide a mechanism for fine-grained frequency synchronization that avoids the overhead and inflexibility of CRS while still supporting the diverse numerologies envisioned for NR.
The claims of ’958 focus on a wireless device (UE) and a base station (gNB) configured to transmit and receive a new reference signal. The base station transmits a synchronization signal in a first set of symbols and a radio resource control (RRC) signal containing configuration information about the reference signal. The UE then receives the reference signal in a second set of symbols, guided by the configuration information. Crucially, the reference signal's configuration is based on a specific numerology , enabling flexible adaptation to different communication scenarios.
In practice, the base station divides the available bandwidth into parts and transmits the synchronization signal in one part. The reference signal for frequency offset estimation is then allocated to the remaining bandwidth, either in the same time interval as the synchronization signal or in adjacent intervals. The UE uses the received reference signal to estimate and compensate for any residual frequency offset, ensuring accurate communication even with varying numerologies. The RRC signaling allows the base station to dynamically adjust the reference signal's parameters, optimizing performance based on network conditions.
The invention differentiates itself from prior approaches by avoiding reliance on a single, system-wide reference signal like CRS. Instead, it introduces a dedicated reference signal specifically for frequency offset estimation, allowing for greater flexibility and reduced overhead. Furthermore, the patent proposes various patterns and configurations for the reference signal, including aligning it with specific time boundaries or using cell-specific patterns to minimize interference. This flexible and adaptable approach is crucial for meeting the diverse requirements of next-generation wireless communication systems, such as eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC, which require different numerologies and resource allocation strategies. The use of RRC signaling to configure the reference signal is also a key differentiator, enabling dynamic optimization and adaptation to changing network conditions. The coherence time is also considered when allocating the reference signals.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2010s when ’958 was filed, wireless communication systems commonly relied on reference signals for synchronization and channel estimation. At a time when flexible numerologies were becoming increasingly important to support diverse use cases, systems typically used synchronization signals transmitted in narrow bands to reduce overhead. When hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to design new reference signals capable of supporting flexible numerologies, systems commonly relied on existing reference signal designs.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the claims because no prior art, or combination of prior art, disclosed or suggested the specific combination of limitations recited in the independent claims. These limitations include receiving a synchronization signal, receiving a radio resource control (RRC) signal with configuration information about a reference signal, and receiving the reference signal based on the configuration information, where the reference signal is configured based on a numerology.
Claims
This patent contains 15 claims, with independent claims 1, 6, and 11. The independent claims focus on a wireless device, a base station, and an apparatus for a wireless device, respectively, each configured to receive/transmit a synchronization signal and a reference signal based on configuration information. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the configuration and use of the reference signal, including its timing and application for frequency tracking or channel state information estimation.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11569958
- Application Number
- US17314034
- Filing Date
- May 6, 2021
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Dec 21, 2037
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents