METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMISSION PATTERN
CONFIGURATION AND SIGNAL DETECTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
generally relate to the technical field of radio communications, and specifically to a
method and apparatus for transmission pattern configuration and signal detection.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate a better understanding of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are
not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior
art.
[0003] Multiple Input and Multiple Output (MIMO) techniques have been known as
an effective way for improving spectrum efficiency (SE) in wireless communication
systems. For example, MIMO has been adopted as a key feature of Long Term
Evolution (LTE)/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system developed by the third generation
project partnership (3GPP). Conventional one-dimensional (horizontal domain) antenna
array can provide flexible beam adaption in the azimuth domain only through the
horizontal domain precoding process, wherein a fixed down-tilt is applied in the vertical
direction. It has been found recently that full MIMO capability can be exploited through
leveraging a two dimensional antenna planar such that a user-specific elevation
beamforming and spatial multiplexing in the vertical domain are also possible.
[0004] A Study Item of 3GPP Release 12 proposed to study user specific
beamforming and full dimensional MIMO (i.e., 3D MIMO) with 2D antenna arrays (also
known as Active Antenna System (AAS)). It can potentially improve transmit and/or
receive gain, and reduce intra/inter-cell interference.
[0005] In a Study Item (SI) of 3GPP Release 13, antenna configurations for 2D
antenna arrays with {8, 16, 32, 64} transmitting RF units (TXRUs) will be used to
evaluate elevation beamforming benefit. To facilitate 3D channel information
measurement at a user equipment (UE) side, channel state information reference signal
(CSI-RS) should be transmitted from 8 or more antenna ports. Transmission of CSI-RS
with {8, 16, 32, 64} antenna ports may be discussed.
SUMMARY
[0006] Various embodiments of the disclosure provide flexible transmission pattern
configuration. Other features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will also
be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the
principles of embodiments of the disclosure.
[0007] In a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method for configuring
transmission pattern in a wireless system. The method comprises indicating a number of
antenna ports to be used for the transmission pattern; and configuring transmission
resource for the number of antenna ports by indicating K resource configurations, with
each resource configuration indicating resource for one of K subsets of antenna ports,
wherein K>1 and the K subsets of antenna ports form a set of the number of antenna ports.
[0008] In one embodiment of the disclosure, each of the K resource configurations
may be selected from a predefined set of configurations, and the z'th subset of the
subsets of antenna ports contains N antenna ports, wherein l<=z<=K, and wherein all N
or all but the smallest N may belong to a predefined set of integers.
[0009] In another embodiment of the disclosure, configuring transmission resource
for the number of antenna ports by indicating K resource configurations may comprise
indicating the K resource configurations according to a predefined order, wherein the
predefined order depends on size of each of the K subsets of antenna ports.
[0010] In another embodiment of the disclosure, configuring transmission resource
for the number of antenna ports by indicating K resource configurations may comprise
using a part of one of the K resource configurations to indicate resource for one of the K
subsets of the antenna ports.
[001 1] In still another embodiment of the disclosure, indicating a number of antenna
ports to be used for the transmission pattern may comprise indicating the number of
antenna ports via a radio resource control RRC signaling; and wherein configuring
transmission resource for the number of antenna ports by indicating K resource
configurations comprises indicating the K resource configurations via same RRC
signaling.
[0012] In some embodiments, the transmission pattern can be a channel state
information reference signal CSI-RS transmission pattern.
9
[0013] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further comprise
indicating a set of physical resource blocks PRBs, in which the K resource configurations
apply, or, indicating, for each of the K resource configurations, a set of physical resource
blocks PRBs in which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
[0014] In another embodiment, the method may further comprise indicating a set of
subframes, in which the K resource configurations apply, or, indicating, for each of the K
resource configurations, a set of subframes in which the corresponding resource
configuration applies. In one embodiment, a first set of subframes being indicated may
include a special subframe of a time division duplex TDD system, and a first resource
configuration of the K resource configurations which applies in the first set of subfames
may indicate a TDD special subframe specific resource configuration. In another
embodiment, the TDD special subframe specific resource configuration may indicate
resources that do not collide with resources for primary synchronization signal PSS,
secondary synchronization signal SSS, system information block 1, paging information,
and physical broadcast channel PBCH.
[0015] In still another embodiment, the method may further comprise indicating a
subband of the wireless system, in which the K resource configurations apply, or,
indicating, for each of the resource configurations, a subband of the wireless system in
which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
[0016] In a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method for signal
detection in a wireless system. The method comprises receiving a transmission pattern
configuration for the signal, and detecting the signal according to the received
transmission pattern configuration, wherein the transmission pattern configuration may
comprise an indication indicating a number of antenna ports to be used for the signal
transmission; and K resource configurations, wherein each resource configuration
indicates resource for one of K subsets of antenna ports, wherein K>1 and the K subsets of
antenna ports form a set of the number of antenna ports.
[0017] In one embodiment, each of the resource configurations is selected from a
predefined set of configurations, and the ith subset of the K subsets of antenna ports
contains N antenna ports, wherein 1<=/<=K, and wherein all N or all but the smallest N
belong to a predefined set of integers.
[0018] In another embodiment, the K resource configurations included in the
transmission pattern configuration may be indicated according to a predefined order, and
wherein the predefined order depends on size of each of the K subsets of antenna ports.
[0019] In one embodiment, a first resource configuration of the K resource
configurations may indicate resource for one of the K subsets of antenna ports by using
part of the first resource configuration.
[0020] In another embodiment, receiving a transmission pattern configuration for the
signal may comprise receiving a transmission pattern configuration via a radio resource
control R C signaling.
[0021] In some embodiments, the signal can be a channel state information reference
signal CSI-RS.
[0022] In one embodiment, the transmission pattern configuration may further
comprise an indication of a set of physical resource blocks PRBs where the K resource
configurations apply, or, an indication of a set of physical resource blocks PRBs, for each
of the K resource configurations, indicating the set of physical resource blocks PRBs
where the corresponding resource configuration applies.
[0023] In another embodiment, the transmission pattern may further comprise an
indication of a set of subframes, in which the K resource configurations apply, or, an
indication of a set of subframes, for each of the K resource configurations, indicating the
set of subframes in which the corresponding resource configuration applies. In an
embodiment, a first set of subframes being indicated includes a special subframe of a time
division duplex TDD system, and a first resource configuration of the K resource
configurations which applies in the first set of subfames indicates a TDD special subframe
specific resource configuration. In another embodiment, the TDD special subframe
specific resource configuration indicates resources that do not collide with resources for
primary synchronization signal PSS, secondary synchronization signal SSS, system
information block 1, paging information, and physical broadcast channel PBCH.
[0024] In still another embodiment, the transmission pattern configuration may
further comprise an indication of a subband of the wireless system, in which the K
resource configurations apply, or, an indication of a subband of the wireless system, for
each of the K resource configurations, indicating the subband of the wireless system in
which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
[0025] In a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for
configuring transmission pattern in a wireless system. The apparatus comprises an
antenna port indication module, configured to indicate a number of antenna ports to be
used for the transmission pattern; and a resource configuration module, configured to
configure transmission resource for the number of antenna ports by indicating resource
configurations, with each resource configuration indicating resource for one of K subsets
of antenna ports which form a set of the number of antenna ports.
[0026] In a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for signal
detection in a wireless system. The apparatus comprises a receiving module, configured
to receive a transmission pattern configuration for the signal, and a detection module,
configured to detect the signal according to the received transmission pattern
configuration, wherein the transmission pattern configuration comprises an indication
indicating a number of antenna ports to be used for the signal transmission; and K
resource configurations, wherein each resource configuration indicates resource for one of
K subsets of antenna ports which form a set of the number of antenna ports.
[0027] In a fifth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for
transmission pattern configuration in a wireless system. The apparatus comprises a
processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said
processor whereby said apparatus is operative to perform any method in accordance with
the first aspect of the disclosure.
[0028] In a sixth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for
transmission pattern configuration in a wireless system. The apparatus comprises a
processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said
processor whereby said apparatus is operative to perform any method in accordance with
the second aspect of the disclosure.
[0029] According to the various aspects and embodiments as mentioned above, by
reusing resource configuration patterns for a small number of antenna ports to configure
resource for a large number of antenna ports, transmission pattern design for a large
number of antenna ports can be simplified, and transmission pattern configuration is made
flexible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of
the disclosure will become more fully apparent, by way of example, from the following
detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals or letters are used to designate like or equivalent elements. The drawings are
illustrated for facilitating better understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure and
not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:
[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless system where embodiments of the
present invention may be implemented;
[0032] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary flowchart of a method for a signal transmission
pattern configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] Fig. 3A shows an example of 15 antenna ports CSI-RS resource configuration
within one physical resource block pair;
[0034] Fig. 3B shows an example of 14 antenna ports CSI-RS resource configuration
within one physical resource block pair;
[0035] Figs. 4A-4M illustrate examples for Time Division duplex (TDD) special
subframe specific resource configurations;
[0036] Figs. 5A-5D illustrate examples of CRS resource configuration in subbands of
the system bandwidth, according to some embodiments of the disclosure;
[0037] Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method 600 in a user equipment in a wireless
system;
[0038] Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus in a wireless
system for configuring transmission pattern according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0039] Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus in communication
with the apparatus shown in Fig. 7, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0040] Fig. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of apparatus that are suitable for
use in practicing the embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Hereinafter, the principle and spirit of the present disclosure will be described
with reference to the illustrative embodiments. It should be understood, all these
embodiments are given merely for the skilled in the art to better understand and further
practice the present disclosure, but not for limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with
another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. n the interest of clarity, not all
features of an actual implementation are described in this specification.
[0042] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an
example embodiment" etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily
include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not
necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted
that it is associated with the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature,
structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly
described.
[0043] It shall be understood that, although the terms "first" and "second" etc. may be
used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these
terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For
example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second
element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example
embodiments. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed terms.
[0044] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be liming of example embodiments. As used
herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as
well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the
terms "comprises", "comprising", "has", "having", "includes" and/or "including", when
used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but
do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements,
components and/ or combinations thereof.
[0045] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical
and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. For example, the term
terminal device used herein may refer to any terminal having wireless communication
capabilities or user equipment (UE), including but not limited to, mobile phone, cellular
phones, smart phone, or personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, image
capture device such as digital cameras, gaming devices, music storage and playback
appliances, wearable devices and any portable units or terminals that have wireless
communication capabilities, or Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and
browsing and the like. Likewise, the term base station used herein may be referred to as
e.g. eNB, eNodeB, NodeB, Base Transceiver Station BTS or Access Point (AP),
depending on the technology and terminology used.
[0046] The following description of various embodiments aims at illustrating the
principle and concept of the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes, several
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in the context of CSI-RS
configuration and detection in a 3GPP LTE system. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate, however, that several embodiments of the present disclosure may be more
generally applicable to any other signal configuration and detection, in any other wireless
systems.
[0047] In Fig. 1, an exemplary wireless system 100, in which embodiments of the
present invention may be implemented, is illustrated. The wireless system 100
comprises one or more network nodes, e.g., 101, here in the form of evolved Node B, also
known as eNode Bs or eNBs. It will be appreciated that the network node 101 could also
be in the form of Node Bs, BTSs (Base Transceiver Stations), BS (Base Station) and/or
BSSs (Base Station Subsystems), etc. The network node 101 may provide a macro cell
or small cell and provide radio connectivity to a plurality of UEs, e.g., UE 102 -104. The
UE can be any wireless communication device which is portable or fixed. Moreover, the
UEs 102-104 may, but not necessarily, be associated with a particular end user. Though
for illustrative purpose, the wireless system 100 is described to be a 3GPP LTE network,
the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to such network scenarios and
the proposed methods and devices can also be applied to other wireless networks, e.g., a
non-cellular network, where the principles described hereinafter are applicable.
[0048] In an embodiment, the network node, e.g., eNB 101 may transmit CSI-RS
from multiple antenna ports to facilitate channel estimation at the UE (e.g., UE 102) side.
In current LTE system, e.g., LTE Release 10, up to 8 antenna ports for CSI-RS
transmission are allowed. The existing CSI-RS transmission can be configured using
parameters shown in Table 1, and details of the parameters can be in section 6.3.2 of the
3GPP TS 36.331, VI 0.7.0 "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA);
Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification."
Table 1. Existing CSI-RS configuration
[0049] Furthermore, in current LTE system, it is specified, e.g., in section 6.10.5 of
the 3GPP TS 36.211, VIO.7.0, "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA);
Physical channels and modulation", that CSI-RS are not transmitted
[0050] - in the Downlink Pilot Time Slot(s) (DwPTS(s)) in case of frame structure
type 2 (i.e., a TDD frame), wherein the DwPTS is a part used for downlink in a special
subframe of TDD system;
[0051] - in a subframe where transmission of a CSI-RS would collide with
SystemlnformationBlockType 1 message;
[0052] - in a primary cell in subframes configured for transmission of paging
messages in the primary cell for any UE with the cell-specific paging configuration.
[0053] To support more complex MIMO operation, e.g., three dimensional MIMO
(3D-MIMO) with 2D antenna arrays, CSI-RS may need to be transmitted from more than
8 antenna ports. Therefore new CSI-RS configuration has to be designed. One object
of the embodiments of the invention is to provide CSI-RS configuration for a flexible
number of antenna ports.
[0054] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary flowchart of a method 200 for a signal
transmission pattern configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
It can be appreciated that the signal can be, but not limited to, CSI-RS. Actually, the
method 200 may apply to transmission pattern configuration for any suitable signals to
solve similar problem. The method 200 can be performed by a base station, e.g., the
eNB 101 shown in Fig. 1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The method
200 may be performed by any other suitable device.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 2, at block 201, the base station indicates a number of
antenna ports to be used for the transmission pattern; and at block 202, the base station
configures transmission resource for the number of antenna ports by indicating K resource
configurations, with each resource configuration indicating resource for one of K subsets
of antenna ports, wherein K>1 and the K subsets of antenna ports form a set of the
indicated number of antenna ports.
[0056] In one embodiment, at block 201, the base station may indicate the number of
antenna ports using a parameter antennaPortsCount as shown in Table 2. The parameter
antennaPortsCount may indicate a value N from a predefined set, e.g., {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,...,
M}, or {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10,..., M}, or {1, 2, 4, 8, 16, M}. The maximum number of
antenna ports M may be predefined, or fixed. In another embodiment, the base station
may indicate an index of the value N in a predefined set. It should be appreciated that
embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any specific way for indicating the
number N of antenna ports.
[0057] In another embodiment, at block 202, the indicated K resource configurations
can be K resourceConfig signaling, as shown in Table 2, wherein each resourceConfig
indicates resource for a subset of the N antenna ports.
Table2, CSI-RS transmission pattern configuration
[0058] In one embodiment, assuming the base station indicates, at block 201, N=10
antenna ports to be used for CSI-RS transmission. The N=10 antenna ports may be
grouped into K=2 subsets of antenna ports, with Ni=8 antenna ports in subset 1, and N2=2
antenna ports in subset 2. In another exemplary embodiment, assuming N=14 is
indicated at block 201, the N=14 antenna ports may be grouped into K=3 subsets, with
Ni=8 antenna ports in subset 1, N2=4 antenna ports in subset 2 and N 3=2 antenna ports in
subset 3. As another example, K subsets can be subset 1 with Ni=4 antenna ports, and
subset 2 with N =2 antenna ports, and the =2 subsets form a set of N=6 antenna ports.
More examples of the number of N and its division into subsets can be found in Table
3A. In one embodiment, when N=l, 2, 4, or 8 antenna ports are to be used for the
transmission pattern, existing resource configuration signaling as shown in Table 1 can be
used, and for other values of N, the N antenna ports can be divided into 2 or 3 subsets as
shown in Table 3A. In another embodiment, even for N=2, 4 and 8, the N antenna ports
can be divided into K>1 subsets. It can be appreciated that embodiments of the
disclosure are not limited to the specific division shown in Table 3A.
Table 3A. Example of subsets of N antenna ports
[0059] Assuming there are N antenna ports in the zth subset of antenna ports,
l<=z'<=K. In one embodiment, each of the K N belongs to a predefined set of integers.
For example, each can be, but not limited to, one of {1, 2, 4, 8} which are the number
of CSI-RS antenna ports supported by current LTE system. In another embodiment, all
but the smallest belong to a predefined set of integers. For example, N=ll antenna
ports are indicated at block 201, and the N=l 1 antenna ports can be grouped into 2 subsets,
with Ni=8 antenna ports in the first subset, and N2=3 antenna ports in the second subset.
Ni=8 belongs to the set of { 1 ,2 ,4, 8}, while the smallest Ni i.e., N2=3, does not belong to
the set of { 1 ,2 ,4, 8}. In still another embodiment, N may be any number smaller than
or equal to N.
[0060] At block 202, the base station may configure resource for the N antenna ports
by indicating resource configuration for each subset of antenna ports, i.e., each i antenna
ports. One example is shown in Table 2, where a field called resourceConflg is used for
this purpose, for each subset of antenna port. That is, in one embodiment, resource for
each of the K subsets of antenna ports shown in Table 3A may be indicated using
resourceConflg signaling as shown in Table 2, respectively. Some examples of such
resource indication can be found in Table 3B. This allows using a resource configuration
for small number (i.e., Nj) of antenna ports to configure resource for a large number (i.e.,
N) of antenna ports, and thereby avoiding resource configuration design for a specific
number of antenna ports.
Table 3B. Example of K resource configurations for K subsets of N antenna ports
[0061] In one embodiment, each of the K resource configurations indicated at block
202 may be a configuration selected from a predefined set of configurations. For
example, the predefined set of configurations can be, but not limited to, a set of existing
resource configurations (e.g., denoted as 0 to 3 1 in Table 4) for 1, 2, 4, or 8 antenna ports
in current LTE Release 10, as shown in Table 4.
[0062] The K resource configurations as shown in Table 2, may be indicated
according to a predefined order which determines, for example, which of the K
resourceConfig shown in Table 2 should be indicated first. The predefined order may
depend on size of each of the subsets, in one embodiment. For example, resource
configuration for a subset of antenna ports with a larger size (i.e., a subset with more
antenna ports) will be indicated first. That is, resource for N=10 antenna ports may be
configured by indicating resource configuration for a subset of Ni=8 antenna ports,
followed by resource configuration for a subset of N =2 antenna ports. It can be
appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any specific indication
order, as long as the order is known to both the transmitter and the receiver. For example,
in another embodiment, resourceConfig for a subset of N =2 antenna ports may be
indicated first, followed by resourceConfig for a subset of Ni=8 antenna ports.
[0063] In one embodiment, at block 202, the base station may configure transmission
resource for the N antenna ports by using a part of one of the K resource configurations to
indicate resource for one of the K subsets. One example is shown in Table 3B. As
shown in Table 3B, resource for N=15 antenna ports can be configured by indicating
resource for 8 antenna ports, and resource for 7 antenna ports, where the resource for 7
antenna ports can be indicated by using part (i.e., 7 ports) of a resource configuration for 8
antenna ports, in order to reuse existing resource configuration patterns, and avoid
introducing new configuration for 7 antenna ports. One example of the resource
allocation for the 15 CSI-RS antenna ports within one physical resource block (PRB) pair
is depicted schematically in Fig. 3A, where normal cyclic prefix (CP) configuration of
LTE is assumed. Resource for 8-ports CSI-RS plus resource for 7-ports CSI-RS form the
resource for the 15-ports CSI-RS, and resource for the 7-ports CSI-RS are part of a
resource configuration for 8-ports CSI-RS. These resources for the 1 ports CSI-RS are
orthogonal with resource elements (REs) for cell-specific RS (CRS) demodulation RS
(DMRS), existing CSI-RS for antenna port 15-22, physical downlink control channel
(PDCCH) and downlink data, as shown in Fig. 3A. Same resource allocation for the 15
CRS-RS antenna ports may apply to all PRB pairs within the whole system bandwidth.
[0064] As shown in Table 3B, for N=7, 11, 13 and 14 antenna ports, resource can be
configured by indicating K=3 resource configurations. In one embodiments, however,
resource for N=7, 11, 13 and 14 antenna ports may also be configured by indicating only
two resource configurations, in similar way as that for N=15 in above example, in order to
save configuration signaling. For example, N= antenna ports may be divided into 2
subsets, with Ni=8 and N2=6, as shown in Table 5A.
[0065] In another embodiment, resource for the 2 subsets which form a set of N=14
antenna ports may be indicated via resourceConfig, as shown in Table 5B, wherein
resource for the N =6 antenna ports can be configured by using part (i.e., 6 ports) of a
resource configuration for 8 antenna ports. One example of the resource allocation for
the 14 CSI-RS antenna ports within one PRB pair is depicted schematically in Fig. 3B,
where normal CP configuration of LTE is also assumed. Resource for 8-ports CSI-RS
plus resource for 6-ports CSI-RS form the resource for the 14-ports CSI-RS, and resource
for the 6-ports CSI-RS are part of a resource configuration for 8-ports CSI-RS. Likewise,
same resource configuration as in Fig. 3B may apply to all PRB pairs within the system
bandwidth. By putting a restriction on the maximum number of subsets, signaling
overhead for the resource configuration may be reduced. More examples for configuring
resource for N<=1 6 antenna ports by using up to 2 resource configurations can be found in
Table 5B.
Table 5A. Examples of subsets of N antenna ports
Table 5B. Examples of configuring resource for up to 2 subsets of N antenna ports
[0066] In one embodiment, at block 201, the number of antenna ports to be used for
the transmission pattern may be indicated via a radio resource control (RRC) signaling;
and at block 202, the K resource configurations may be indicated via the same RRC
signaling. For example, the information fields of an antennaPortsCount and K
resourceConfig shown in Table 2 can be transmitted to UE in a single RRC signaling. It
can be appreciated that the indication can also be transmitted via any other suitable
signaling(s).
[0067] Though in some embodiments, the method 200 can be used for CSI-RS
transmission pattern configuration, it can be appreciated that the method 200 can be
widely applied to other use cases, for transmission pattern configuration of any suitable
signal.
[0068] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the method 200 may
comprise a block 203, where the base station indicate a set of physical resource blocks
(PRBs), in which the K resource configurations apply. That is, the K resource
configurations like that shown in Fig. 3A or 3B do not present in all PRB pairs, but only
apply in the indicated PRB set. One example is shown in Table 6A, where an
information field PRBConfig is used for indicating the set of PRBs. The indicated set of
PRBs can be a comb-like PRB pattern, in one embodiment. That is, there is one PRB
used for the CSI-RS every L PRBs, where L is an integer larger than 1. Different UEs
can be configured with different resource configurations and different comb-like PRB
patterns for CSI-RS transmission. Additional signaling bits may be needed for indicating
the PRB comb-pattern in frequency domain. Alternatively, the indicated set of PRBs
may also be, for example, several consecutive PRBs, or, consecutive odd/even PRBs.
Table 6A. Example of transmission pattern configuration (with PRB set indication)
[0069] In another embodiment, at block 203, the base station may indicate a set of
PRBs for each of the K resource configurations, as shown in Table 6B. That is, each of
the K resource configurations may be applied in different PRB set, which provides more
flexibility for signal (e.g., CSI-RS) transmission pattern configuration.
Table 6B. Example of transmission pattern configuration (with PRB set indication for
each resource configuration)
[0070] It can be appreciated that block 203 may be applied with or without the block
202. That is, in one embodiment, even if the N antenna ports are not grouped into
subsets and resource for the N antenna ports is only indicated using one resource
configuration, for example as shown in Table 1, the base station can still configure a PRB
set to indicate in which PRB(s) the resource configuration for the N antenna ports apply.
That is, resource configuration flexibility can be improved by adding a PRBConfig field
into the Table 1.
[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the method 200 may comprise a block 204,
where the base station may indicate a set of subframes, in which K>=1 resource
configurations apply, in one embodiment. One example is shown in Table 7A, where an
information field subframeConfig is used for this purpose. In another embodiment, at
block 204, the base station may indicate a set of subframes for each of the K>1 resource
configurations, as shown in Table 7B. That is, each of the resource configurations
may apply in a different subframe set, and the total resource configuration for the N
antenna ports spreads in multiple subframes. By this way, resource configuration
flexibility is further improved.
Table 7A. Example of transmission pattern configuration (with subframe indication for K
resource configurations)
Table 7B. Example of transmission pattern configuration (with subframe indication for
each resource configuration)
[0072] In an embodiment, a set of subframes being indicated at block 204 for one or
all of the K resource configurations may include a special subframe of a TDD system.
That is, by using the method 200, CSI-RS transmission in special subframe may be
allowed. For example, resource for the z'th subset of antenna ports may be configured in
a special subframe, while resource for other antenna port subsets may be configured in
normal subframes. In another exemplary embodiment, resource for one subset of
antenna ports may be configured in a first special subframe, while resource for other
antenna port subsets may be configured in another special subframe. In these cases,
CSI-RS may be transmitted in the DwPTS part of one or more special subframes. Such a
resource configuration may be applicable to certain TDD special subframe configurations
defined in LTE, e.g., the TDD special subframe configurations 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 which
provide 9, 10, 11 or 12 downlink symbols in the special subframe, respectively.
[0073] Since special subframe has less DL symbols than that of a normal subframe,
the resource configuration applied in a special subframe may be a TDD special subframe
specific resource configuration. In current LTE standard, 32 resource configurations
(denoted as 0 to 31 in Table 4) are predefined for normal subframes, as shown in Table 4.
In one embodiment of the disclosure, additional TDD special subframe specific resource
configurations can be introduced on top of that. One example is shown in Table 8, where
the resourceConfig may indicate one resource configuration pattern from N_TDD+1
candidates (0, 1, . . ., N TDD). In one embodiment, the number N TDD is larger than 31,
since some TDD special subframe specific configurations are added on top of original 0 to
3 1 configurations. In another embodiment, the N TDD+l candidates are all TDD
special subframe specific configurations newly introduced.
Table 8. Example of transmission pattern configuration (with TDD special subframe
specific resource configuration introduced)
[0074] As described above, the base station can indicate K>1 resource configurations
to configure resource for N antenna ports. Some or all of the K resource configurations
can indicate a resource pattern from the N TDD+l candidates, in one embodiment.
[0075] In one embodiment, the introduced TDD special subframe specific resource
configuration may indicate resources that do not collide with resources for primary
synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), paging information,
system information block 1 (SIB1), and physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Collision
with cell-specific RS (CRS), demodulation RS (DMRS) should also be avoided. Some
examples for the TDD special subframe specific resource configurations are illustrated
schematically in Figs.4A-4M, wherein Fig.4M shows a legend applying to Figs. 4A-4L.
Figs. 4A-4C are examples of resource configuration for 1 or 2, 4, 8 antenna ports
respectively in a TDD special subframe with 11 or 12 OFDM symbols in DwPTS.
Particularly, Fig. 4A shows 16 1-port or 2-ports CSI-RS resource configuration patterns
(denoted as 32 to 47 in the figure); Fig. 4B show 8 4-ports CSI-RS resource configuration
patterns (denoted as 32-35, 40-43 in the figure); and Fig. 4C show 4 8-ports CSI-RS
resource configuration patterns (denoted as 32 to 35 in the figure). Figs.4D-4F are
examples of resource configuration for 1 or 2, 4, 8 antenna ports respectively in a TDD
special subframe with 9 or 10 OFDM symbols in DwPTS. Figs. 4G-4I are examples of
resource configuration in a PRB not belonging to the central 6 PRBs for 1 or 2, 4, 8
antenna ports respectively in a TDD special subframe with 11 or 12 OFDM symbols in
DwPTS, and Figs. 4K-4L provide examples of resource configuration in a PRB not
belonging to the central 6 PRBs for 1 or 2, 4, 8 antenna ports respectively in a TDD
special subframe with 9 or 10 OFDM symbols in DwPTS. Since in a PRB not belonging
to the central 6 PRBs, there is no resource reservation for PSS/SSS transmission, and thus
more resources are available for CSI-RS transmission, that's why in the example of Figs.
4G-4L, more resource configuration patterns can be provided comparing with that of Figs.
4A-4F.
[0076] Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, the method 200 may
comprise a block 205, where the base station indicates a subband of the wireless system,
in which the K resource configurations apply. In another embodiment, the base station
may indicate at block 205 a subband of the wireless system for each of the K resource
configurations. As shown in Figs. 5A-5D, frequency resource of the system can be
divided into multiple subbands, e.g., 3 subbands which can be central 6 PRBs, the upper
half band and the lower half band, respectively. In case of a TDD special subframe
configuration 0, there can be resources for CSI-RS transmission from a subset of antenna
ports in the central 6 PRBs and the lower half band in subframe (SF) 0, and resources for
CSI-RS transmission from same or different subset of antenna ports in the upper half band
in SF 1, as shown in Fig. A. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5B, there can be resources
for CSI-RS transmission from a subset of antenna ports in the central 6 PRBs and the
upper half band in subframe (SF) 0, and resources for CSI-RS transmission from same or
different subset of antenna ports in the lower half band in SF 1. In the example of Fig.
5C, resource for CSI-RS from a subset of antenna ports can be configured in the lower
half band in SF 0, and resource for CSI-RS from same or different subset of antenna ports
can be configured in the central 6 PRBs and the upper half band in SF . In another
example shown in Fig. 5D, the resource for CSI-RS from a subset of antenna ports can be
configured in the upper half band in SF 0, and resource for CSI-RS from same or different
subset of antenna ports can be configured in the central 6 PRBs and the lower half band in
SF 1. In these cases, the paging can be scheduled in only half band of the system to
avoid collision. Accordingly, at block 205, the base station may indicate a subband
where one or all of the K resource configurations apply. One example is shown in Table
9 below, where an information field SubBandConfig is used for this purpose to indicate a
subband where all of the K resource configurations apply. In another exemplary
embodiment, the base station may indicate a subband indication for each of the K resource
configurations. In addition, it can be appreciated that though 3 subbands are illustrated
in the examples of Figs. 5A-5D, embodiments are not limited thereto. More or less
subbands can be defined in other embodiments.
Table 9. Example of transmission pattern configuration (with subband indication)
[0077] Likewise, it can be appreciated that block 205 may be applied with or without
the block 202. That is, in one embodiment, even if the N antenna ports are not grouped
into subsets and resource for the N antenna ports is only indicated using one resource
configuration (K=l) for example as shown in Table 1, the base station can still configure a
subband to indicate in which subband(s) the resource configuration for the N antenna ports
apply. That is, resource configuration flexibility can be improved by adding a
SubBansConfig field into the Table 1.
[0078] Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which illustrate a flow chart of a method 600
in a wireless system. The method can be implemented by a user equipment, e.g., UE 104
shown in Fig. 1, or any suitable devices.
[0079] As shown in Fig. 6, the method 600 comprises receiving a transmission pattern
configuration for the signal at block 601, and detecting the signal according to the
received transmission pattern configuration at block 602; wherein the transmission pattern
configuration comprises: an indication indicating a number of antenna ports to be used for
the signal transmission and resource configurations, wherein each resource
configuration indicates resource for one of K subsets of antenna ports, wherein K>1 and
the subsets of antenna ports form a set of the number of antenna ports.
[0080] The transmission pattern configuration received at block 601 can be that
indicated according to method 200, in one embodiment, and thus details regarding the
transmission pattern described with reference to method 200 also apply here. The
transmission pattern configuration can be used for CSI-RS, however, embodiments of the
disclosure are not limited thereto.
[0081] As described with reference to method 200, each of the resource
configurations can be selected from a predefined set of configurations, in one embodiment.
The predefined set of configurations can be existing resource configuration patterns
defined in, for example, LTE specification, as shown in Table 4. Thereby, the method
600 allows reusing resource configuration for a small number of antenna ports to indicate
resource configuration for a large number of antenna ports.
[0082] In one embodiment, there are antenna ports in the z'th (1<=¾<=K ) subset of
the K subsets, and wherein all N may belong to a predefined set of integers. In one
embodiment, all but the smallest N may belong to a predefined set of integers. The
predefined set of integers may be, for example, {1, 2, 4, 8 } which are the number of
antenna ports for CSI RS transmission supported by current LTE specification. It can be
appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto.
[0083] In one embodiment, at block 601, the K resource configurations included in
the transmission pattern configuration signaling received at block 601 may be indicated
according to a predefined order, and the predefined order may depend on size of each of
the K subsets of antenna ports. For instance, in the received signaling at block 601,
resource configuration for a larger subset of antenna ports (e.g., a subset with 8 antenna
ports) may be indicated first, then followed by resource configuration for a small subset of
antenna ports (e.g., a subset with 2 antenna ports).
[0084] In another embodiment, one of the K resource configurations may indicate
resource for one of the K subsets by using part of the one resource configuration, as shown
in Table 5B. That is, an existing resource configuration for 4 antenna ports may be used
to indicate a resource configuration for 3 (or less) antenna ports, by leaving 1 port unused.
By this way, it allows to use existing resource configuration and avoid design new
resource configuration pattern for a specific number (e.g., 3) of antenna ports.
Additionally, it may also avoid dividing the antenna ports into too many subsets, that is,
reduce the number of K, and thus configuration signaling may be reduced, in some
embodiments.
[0085] The transmission pattern configuration for the signal may be received via RRC
signaling at block 601 , in one embodiment; however, embodiments are not limited thereto.
Likewise, the transmission pattern configuration received may be used for CSI-RS, but
embodiments are not limited thereto.
[0086] In one embodiment, detecting the signal according to the received transmission
pattern configuration at block 602 comprises detecting the signal in the resource indicated
by the transmission pattern configuration.
[0087] Additionally or alternatively, the transmission pattern configuration received at
block 601 may comprise an indication of a set of PRBs where the K resource
configurations apply, in one embodiment. One example can be found in Table 6A. In
another embodiment, the transmission pattern configuration received at block 601 may
comprise an indication of a set of PRBs for each of the K resource configurations, as
shown in Table 6B. Such implementation provides more configuration flexibility.
[0088] In still another embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the transmission
pattern configuration may comprise an indication of a set of subfrarnes, in which the K>=1
resource configurations apply, as shown in Table 7A. In another embodiment, the
transmission pattern configuration may comprise an indication of a set of subfrarnes for
each of the K>1 resource configurations, as shown in Table 7B. In one embodiment, a
set of subfrarnes being indicated may include a special subframe of a time division duplex
TDD system, and the resource configuration applied in the set of subfames may indicate a
TDD special subframe specific resource configuration. Examples for the TDD special
subframe specific resource configuration can be found in Figs. 4A-4L, but embodiments
of the disclosure are not limited thereto.
[0089] In one embodiment, the TDD special subframe specific resource configuration
indicates resources that do not collide with resources for primary synchronization signal
PSS, secondary synchronization signal SSS, system information block 1, and physical
broadcast channel PBCH.
[0090] In another embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the transmission pattern
configuration may comprise an indication of a subband of the wireless system, in which
the K>=1 resource configurations apply. For example, the system bandwidth can be
divided into 3 subsets as shown in Figs. 5A-5D, and the received transmission pattern
configuration signaling may include an information field for indicating in which subband
a resource configuration apply. It allows restricting the transmission of the signal (e.g.,
CSI-RS) into a specifics subband, and thereby reducing overhead. In another
embodiment, the transmission pattern configuration may comprise an indication of a
subband of the wireless system for each of the > 1 resource configurations. It allows
each of the resource configuration apply to different subband, and provides more
configuration flexibility.
[0091] Note that operations described with reference to the blocks of any method
herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
That is, operations at the blocks may also be performed reversely to the order as shown or
concurrently.
[0092] Reference is now made to Fig. 7, which illustrates a schematic block diagram
of an apparatus 700 in a wireless system for configuring transmission pattern according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the apparatus 700 may be
implemented as a base station, or a part thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the
apparatus 700 may be implemented as any other suitable network element in the wireless
communication system. The apparatus 700 is operable to carry out the example method
200 described with reference to Fig. 2, and possibly any other processes or methods. It is
also to be understood that the method 200 is not necessarily carried out by the apparatus
700. At least some blocks of the method 200 can be performed by one or more other
entities.
[0093] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the apparatus 700 comprises an antenna port indication
module 701, configured to indicate a number of antenna ports to be used for the
transmission pattern; and a resource configuration module 702, configured to configure
transmission resource for the number of antenna ports by indicating K resource
configurations, with each resource configuration indicating resource for one of K subsets
of antenna ports, wherein K>1 and the K subsets form a set of the number of antenna
ports.
[0094] In one embodiment, antenna port indication module 701 and the resource
configuration module 702 can be configured to perform the operations described with
reference to blocks 201 and 202 of the method 200, respectively, and thus, some detailed
descriptions for 701-702 may be omitted here.
[0095] In one embodiment, each of the K resource configurations indicated by the
resource configuration module 702 may be selected from a predefined set of
configurations, for example but not limited to, the 32 configurations shown in Table 4 .
[0096] As one example, the K subsets can be subset 1 with Ni=4 antenna ports, and
subset 2 with N2=2 antenna ports, and the K=2 subsets form a set of N=6 antenna ports.
[0097] In another embodiment, the fth subset of the K subsets may contain j antenna
ports, and all of the K N or all but the smallest N may belong to a predefined set of
integers. The predefined set of integers can be, but not limited to {1, 2, 4, 8}. In still
another embodiment, N can be any suitable number smaller than or equal to N.
[0098] The resource configuration module 702 may be configured to indicate the K
resource configurations according to a predefined order, and the predefined order may
depend on size of each of the K subsets of antenna ports. Embodiments of the disclosure
are not limited to any to specific indication order, as long as the order is known to both
transmitter and receiver.
[0099] In one embodiment, the resource configuration module 702 may be configured
to indicate resource for one of the subsets by using part of one of the K resource
configurations.
[00100] In another embodiment, the antenna port indication module 701 may be
configured to indicate the number of antenna ports via a radio resource control RRC
signaling; and the resource configuration module 702 may be configured to indicate the
resource configurations via the same RRC signaling.
[00101] Though in some embodiments descried, the transmission pattern is
configured for CSI-RS, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. The
apparatus 700 can be used for configuring transmission pattern for any suitable signal.
[00102] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 700 may
comprise a PRB indication module 703, configured to indicate a set of physical resource
blocks PRBs, in which the K>=1 resource configurations apply, or, indicate, a set of
physical resource blocks PRBs for each of the K>1 resource configurations. Examples
for such indications can be found in Table 6A and 6B, respectively.
[00103] In another embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 700 may
comprise a subframe indication module 704, configured to indicate a set of subframes, in
which the K>=1 resource configurations apply, or, indicate, a set of subframes for each of
the K>1 resource configurations. Example for the subframe indication can be found in
Table 7A and Table 7B. A set of subframes being indicated may include a special
subframe of a time division duplex TDD system, and a resource configuration applies in
the set of subfames may indicate a TDD special subframe specific resource configuration.
In some embodiments, the TDD special subframe specific resource configuration indicates
resources that do not collide with resources for primary synchronization signal PSS,
secondary synchronization signal SSS, system information block 1, and physical broadcast
channel PBCH.
[00104] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus 700 may comprise a subband
indication module 705, configured to indicate a subband of the system, in which the K
resource configurations apply, or, indicate, a subband of the system for each of the K
resource configurations. Examples for subband indication can be found in Table 9.
[00105] Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which illustrate a schematic block diagram
of an apparatus 800 in communication with the apparatus 700 in a wireless system,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the apparatus
800 may be implemented as UE or a part thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the
apparatus 800 may be implemented as any other suitable devices in the wireless
communication system. The apparatus 800 is operable to carry out the example method
600 described with reference to FIG. 6 and possibly any other processes or methods. It is
also to be understood that the method 600 is not necessarily carried out by the apparatus
800. At least some steps of the method 600 can be performed by one or more other
entities.
[00106] As shown in Fig. 8, the apparatus 800 comprises a receiving module 801,
configured to receive a transmission pattern configuration for the signal, and a detection
module 802, configured to detect the signal according to the received transmission pattern
configuration. The transmission pattern configuration may comprise an indication
indicating a number of antenna ports to be used for the signal transmission; and K
resource configurations, wherein each resource configuration indicates resource for one of
K subsets of antenna ports, and wherein K>1 and the K subsets of antenna ports form a set
of the number of antenna ports.
[00107] In one embodiment, each of the K resource configurations may be selected
from a predefined set of configurations. An example for the predefined set of
configurations can be found in Table 4. It can be appreciated, however, embodiments of
the disclosure are not limited thereto. The z'th subset of the subsets contains N, antenna
ports, wherein 1<= <=K, and all N or all but the smallest N, may belong to a predefined
set of integers. For instance, the predefined set of integers can be, but not limited to {1, 2,
4, 8}.
[00108] In another embodiment, the K resource configurations included in the
transmission pattern configuration may be indicated in a predefined order. The
predefined order may depend on size of each of the K subsets.
[00109] In still another embodiment, one of the K resource configurations may
indicate resource for one of the K subsets by using part of the one resource configuration.
[00110] The receiving module 801 may be configured to receive the transmission
pattern configuration via a radio resource control RRC signaling, in one embodiment.
However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. The transmission
pattern configuration can be used for the CSI-RS, in one embodiment; and can be used for
another signal in other embodiments.
[001 11] As described with reference to method 200 and 400, the transmission pattern
configuration may comprise an indication of a set of physical resource blocks PRBs where
the K>=1 resource configurations apply, or, an indication of a set of physical resource
blocks PRBs for each of the >1 resource configurations, in one embodiment. Examples
for such transmission pattern configurations can be found in Table 6A and 6B.
[001 12] In another embodiment, the transmission pattern configuration may comprise
an indication of a set of subframes, in which the K>=1 resource configurations apply, or,
an indication of a set of subframes for each of the K>1 resource configurations.
Examples for such transmission pattern configuration have been described with reference
to Table 7A and Table 7B, and will not be detailed here. A set of subframes being
indicated may include a special subframe of a time division duplex TDD system in one
embodiment. A resource configuration applied in the set of subfames may indicate a
TDD special subframe specific resource configuration. The TDD special subframe
specific resource configuration may indicate resources that do not collide with resources
for primary synchronization signal PSS, secondary synchronization signal SSS, system
information block 1, and physical broadcast channel PBCH, in one embodiment.
[001 13] In another embodiment, the transmission pattern configuration may comprise
an indication of a subband of the system, in which the K>=1 resource configurations apply,
or, an indication of a subband of the system for each of the K>1 resource configurations.
Examples for the subband indication can be found in Table 9 .
[001 14] It can be appreciated that some modules in the apparatus 700 and 800 can be
combined in some implementations. For example, in one embodiment, it is possible to
use a single indication module to function as the antenna port indication module 70 1, the
resource configuration module 702, the PRB indication module 703, the subframe
indication module 704 and the subband indication module 705 in the apparatus 700 as
discussed above.
[001 15] Fig. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 910, and an
apparatus 920 that are suitable for use in practicing the embodiments of the present
disclosure. The apparatus 910 may be a base station; the apparatus 920 may be UE.
[001 16] The apparatus 910 comprises at least one processor 911, such as a data
processor (DP) 9 11 and at least one memory (MEM) 912 coupled to the processor 9 11.
The apparatus may further comprise a suitable RF transmitter TX and receiver RX 913
(which may be implemented in a single component or separate components) coupled to
the processor 9 11. The MEM 912 stores a program (PROG) 914. The PROG 914 may
include instructions that, when executed on the associated processor 9 11, enable the
apparatus 910 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure,
for example to perform the method 200. The TX/RX 913 may be used for bidirectional
radio communication with other apparatuses or devices in the network, e.g. the apparatus
920. Note that the TX/RX 913 may have multiple antennas (e.g., an AAS) to facilitate
the communication. A combination of the at least one processor 9 11 and the at least one
MEM 912 may form processing means 915 adapted to implement various embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[001 17] The apparatus 920 comprises at least one processor 921, such as a DP, at
least one MEM 922 coupled to the processor 921. The apparatus 720 may further
comprise a suitable RF TX/ RX 923 (which may be implemented in a single component or
separate components) coupled to the processor 921. The MEM 922 stores a PROG 924.
The PROG 924 may include instructions that, when executed on the associated processor
921, enable the apparatus 920 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the
present disclosure, for example to perform the method 600. The TX/RX 923 is for
bidirectional radio communications with other apparatuses or devices in the network, e.g.
the apparatus 910. Note that the TX/RX 923 may have multiple antennas to facilitate the
communication. A combination of the at least one processor 921 and the at least one
MEM 922 may fonn processing means 925 adapted to implement various embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[001 18] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by
computer program executable by one or more of the processor 911, 921 in software,
firmware, hardware or in a combination thereof.
[00119] The MEMs 912, 922 may be of any type suitable to the local technical
environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as
semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical
memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting
examples. While only one MEM is shown in the apparatuses 910, 920, there may be
several physically distinct memory units in them.
[00120] The processors 9 11, 921 may be of any type suitable to the local technical
environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose
computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on
multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. Each of the apparatuses 910,
920 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)
chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.
[00121] Although the above description is made in the context of LTE, it should not
be construed as limiting the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The idea and
concept of the present disclosure can be generalized to also cover other wireless networks
including non-cellular network, e.g., ad-hoc network.
[00122] In addition, the present disclosure provides a carrier containing the computer
program as mentioned above, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical
signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium. The computer readable
storage medium can be, for example, an optical compact disk or an electronic memory
device like a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), Flash memory,
magnetic tape, CD-ROM, DVD, Blue-ray disc and the like.
[00123] The techniques described herein may be implemented by various means so
that an apparatus implementing one or more functions of a corresponding apparatus
described with an embodiment comprises not only prior art means, but also means for
implementing the one or more functions of a corresponding apparatus described with an
embodiment and it may comprise separate means for each separate function, or means
may be configured to perform two or more functions. For example, these techniques
may be implemented in hardware (one or more apparatuses), firmware (one or more
apparatuses), software (one or more modules), or combinations thereof. For a firmware
or software, implementation may be made through modules (e.g., procedures, functions,
and so on) that perform the functions described herein.
[00124] Exemplary embodiments herein have been described above with reference to
block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses, i.e. systems. It will
be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and
combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can
be implemented by various means including computer program instructions. These
computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special
purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine,
such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data
processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the
flowchart block or blocks.
[00125] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these
should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any implementation or of what may
be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular
embodiments of particular implementations. Certain features that are described in this
specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in
combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in
the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments
separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be
described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one
or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the
combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or
variation of a sub-combination.
[00126] It should also be noted that the above described embodiments are given for
describing rather than limiting the disclosure, and it is to be understood that modifications
and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure as those skilled in the art readily understand. Such modifications and variations
are considered to be associated with the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims.
The protection scope of the disclosure is defined by the accompanying claims.
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method for configuring transmission pattern in a wireless system,
comprising:
indicating a number of antenna ports to be used for the transmission pattern; and
configuring transmission resource for the number of antenna ports by indicating K
resource configurations, with each resource configuration indicating resource for one of K
subsets of antenna ports, wherein K>1 and the subsets of antenna ports form a set of the
number of antenna ports.
2. The method of Claim 1, wherein
each of the K resource configurations is selected from a predefined set of
configurations, and
the z'th subset of the K subsets of antenna ports contains N; antenna ports, wherein
1<=;<=K, and wherein all or all but the smallest i belong to a predefined set of
integers.
3. The method of Claim 1, wherein configuring transmission resource for the
number of antenna ports by indicating K resource configurations comprises:
indicating the K resource configurations according to a predefined order,
wherein the predefined order depends on size of each of the K subsets of antenna
ports.
4. The method of Claim 1, wherein configuring transmission resource for the
number of antenna ports by indicating K resource configurations comprises:
using a part of one of the K resource configurations to indicate resource for one of
the K subsets of the antenna ports.
5. The method of Claim 1, wherein indicating a number of antenna ports to be
used for the transmission pattern comprises indicating the number of antenna ports via a
radio resource control RRC signaling; and
wherein configuring transmission resource for the number of antenna ports by
indicating resource configurations comprises indicating the K resource configurations
via same RRC signaling.
6. The method of Claim 1, wherein the transmission pattern is a channel state
information reference signal CSI-RS transmission pattern.
7 . The method of any of Claims 1-6, further comprising:
indicating a set of physical resource blocks PRBs, in which the K resource
configurations apply, or,
indicating, for each of the K resource configurations, a set of physical resource
blocks PRBs in which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
8. The method of any of Claims 1-6, further comprising:
indicating a set of subframes, in which the K resource configurations apply, or,
indicating, for each of the K resource configurations, a set of subframes in which
the corresponding resource configuration applies.
9 . The method of Claim 8, wherein
a first set of subframes being indicated includes a special subframe of a time
division duplex TDD system, and
a first resource configuration of the K resource configurations which applies in the
first set of subfames indicates a TDD special subframe specific resource configuration.
10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the TDD special subframe specific resource
configuration indicates resources that do not collide with resources for primary
synchronization signal PSS, secondary synchronization signal SSS, system information
block 1, paging information, and physical broadcast channel PBCH.
11. The method of any of Claims 1-6, further comprising:
indicating a subband of the wireless system, in which the K resource
configurations apply, or,
indicating, for each of the K resource configurations, a subband of the wireless
system in which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
12. A method for signal detection in a wireless system, comprising:
receiving a transmission pattern configuration for the signal, and
detecting the signal according to the received transmission pattern configuration,
wherein the transmission pattern configuration comprises:
an indication indicating a number of antenna ports to be used for the signal
transmission; and
K resource configurations, wherein each resource configuration indicates
resource for one of K subsets of antenna ports, and wherein K>1 and the K subsets
of antenna ports form a set of the number of antenna ports.
13. The method of Claim 12, wherein
each of the K resource configurations is selected from a predefined set of
configurations, and
the z'th subset of the K subsets of antenna ports contains N antenna ports, wherein
l<=z'<=K, and wherein all or all but the smallest N belong to a predefined set of
integers.
14. The method of Claim 12, wherein the K resource configurations included in
the transmission pattern configuration are indicated according to a predefined order, and
wherein the predefined order depends on size of each of the K subsets of antenna ports.
15. The method of Claim 12, wherein a first resource configuration of the K
resource configurations indicates resource for one of the K subsets of antenna ports by
using part of the first resource configuration.
16. The method of Claim 12, wherein receiving a transmission pattern
configuration for the signal comprises:
receiving a transmission pattern configuration via a radio resource control R C
signaling.
17. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the signal is a channel state information
reference signal CSI-RS.
18. The method of any of Claims 12-17, wherein the transmission pattern
configuration further comprises:
an indication of a set of physical resource blocks PRBs where the K resource
configurations apply, or,
an indication of a set of physical resource blocks PRBs, for each of the resource
configurations, indicating the set of physical resource blocks PRBs where the
corresponding resource configuration applies.
19. The method of any of Claims 12-17, wherein the transmission pattern
configuration further comprises:
an indication of a set of subframes, in which the K resource configurations apply,
or,
an indication of a set of subframes, for each of the K resource configurations,
indicating the set of subframes in which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
20. The method of Claim 19, wherein
a first set of subframes being indicated includes a special subframe of a time
division duplex TDD system, and
a first resource configuration of the resource configurations which applies in the
first set of subfames indicates a TDD special subframe specific resource configuration.
21. The method of Claim 20, wherein the TDD special subframe specific
resource configuration indicates resources that do not collide with resources for primary
synchronization signal PSS, secondary synchronization signal SSS, system information
block , paging information, and physical broadcast channel PBCH.
22. The method of any of Claims 12-17, wherein the transmission pattern
configuration further comprises:
an indication of a subband of the wireless system, in which the K resource
configurations apply, or,
an indication of a subband of the wireless system, for each of the K resource
configurations, indicating the subband of the wireless system in which the corresponding
resource configuration applies.
23. An apparatus for configuring transmission pattern in a wireless system,
comprising:
an antenna port indication module, configured to indicate a number of antenna
ports to be used for the transmission pattern; and
a resource configuration module, configured to configure transmission resource for
the number of antenna ports by indicating resource configurations, with each resource
configuration indicating resource for one of K subsets of antenna ports, wherein K>1 and
the K subsets of antenna ports form a set of the number of antenna ports.
24. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein
each of the K resource configurations is selected from a predefined set of
configurations, and
the 'th subset of the K subsets of antenna ports contains antenna ports, wherein
1<=/<=K, and wherein all , or all but the smallest N belong to a predefined set of
integers.
25. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the resource configuration module is
configured to:
indicate the K resource configurations according to a predefined order, and
wherein the predefined order depends on size of each of the K subsets of antenna
ports.
26. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein configuring transmission resource for
the number of antenna ports by indicating K resource configurations comprises:
using a part of one of the K resource configurations to indicate resource for one of
the K subsets of antenna ports.
27. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the antenna port indication module is
configured to indicate the number of antenna ports via a radio resource control RRC
signaling; and
the resource configuration module is configured to indicate the K resource
configurations via same RRC signaling.
28. The apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the transmission pattern is a channel
state information reference signal CSI-RS transmission pattern.
29. The apparatus of any of Claims 23-28, further comprising an PRB indication
module, configured to
indicate a set of physical resource blocks PRBs, in which the K resource
configurations apply, or,
indicate, for each of the K resource configurations, a set of physical resource
blocks PRBs in which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
30. The apparatus of any of Claims 23-28, further comprising a subframe
indication module, configured to:
indicate a set of subframes, in which the K resource configurations apply, or,
indicate, for each of the K resource configurations, a set of subframes in which the
corresponding resource configuration applies.
1. The apparatus of Claim 30, wherein
a first set of subframes being indicated includes a special subframe of a time
division duplex TDD system, and
a first resource configuration of the resource configurations which applies in the
first set of subfames indicates a TDD special subframe specific resource configuration.
32. The apparatus of Claim 31, wherein the TDD special subframe specific
resource configuration indicates resources that do not collide with resources for primary
synchronization signal PSS, secondary synchronization signal SSS, system information
block 1, and physical broadcast channel PBCH.
33. The apparatus of any of Claims 23-28, further comprising a subband
indication module, configured to:
indicate a subband of the wireless system, in which the K resource configurations
apply, or,
indicate, for each of the K resource configurations, a subband of the wireless
system in which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
34. An apparatus for signal detection in a wireless system, comprising:
a receiving module, configured to receive a transmission pattern configuration for
the signal, and
a detection module, configured to detect the signal according to the received
transmission pattern configuration,
wherein the transmission pattern configuration comprises:
an indication indicating a number of antenna ports to be used for the signal
transmission; and
resource configurations, wherein each resource configuration indicates
resource for one of K subsets of antenna ports, and wherein K>1 and the K subsets
of antenna ports form a set of the number of antenna ports.
35. The apparatus of Claim 34, wherein
each of the K resource configurations is selected from a predefined set of
configurations, and
the z'th subset of the K subsets of antenna ports contains N antenna ports, wherein
1<=?'<=K, and wherein all N or all but the smallest belongs to a predefined set of
integers.
36. The apparatus of Claim 34, wherein the K resource configurations included
in the transmission pattern configuration are indicated according to a predefined order, and
wherein the predefined order depends on size of each of the K subsets of antenna ports.
37. The apparatus of Claim 34, wherein a first resource configuration of the K
resource configurations indicates resource for one of the K subsets of antenna ports by
using part of the first resource configuration.
38. The apparatus of Claim 34, wherein the receiving module is configured to:
receive the transmission pattern configuration via a radio resource control RRC
signaling.
39. The apparatus of Claim 34, wherein the signal is a channel state information
reference signal CSI-RS.
40. The apparatus of any of Claims 34-39, wherein the transmission pattern
configuration further comprises:
an indication of a set of physical resource blocks PRBs where the K resource
configurations apply, or,
an indication of a set of physical resource blocks PRBs, for each of the K resource
configurations, indicating the set of physical resource blocks PRBs where the
corresponding resource configuration applies.
41. The apparatus of any of Claims 34-39, wherein the transmission pattern
configuration further comprises:
an indication of a set of subframes, in which the K resource configurations apply,
or,
an indication of a set of subframes, for each of the K resource configurations,
indicating the set of subframes in which the corresponding resource configuration applies.
42. The apparatus of Claim 4 , wherein
a first set of subframes being indicated includes a special subframe of a time
division duplex TDD system, and
a first resource configuration of the K resource configurations which applies in the
first set of subfames indicates a TDD special subframe specific resource configuration.
43. The apparatus of Claim 42, wherein the TDD special subframe specific
resource configuration indicates resources that do not collide with resources for primary
synchronization signal PSS, secondary synchronization signal SSS, system information
block 1, and physical broadcast channel PBCH.
44. The apparatus of any of Claims 34-39, wherein the transmission pattern
configuration further comprises:
an indication of a subband of the wireless system, in which the K resource
configurations apply, or,
an indication of a subband of the wireless system, for each of the K resource
configurations, indicating the subband of the wireless system in which the corresponding
resource configuration applies.
45. An apparatus for transmission pattern configuration in a wireless system,
comprising a processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by
said processor whereby said apparatus is operative to perform the method of any of
Claims 1-11.
46. An apparatus for signal detection in a wireless system, comprising a
processor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said
processor whereby said apparatus is operative to perform the method of any of Claims
12-22.