Time and frequency synchronization

• US 9,144,045 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2012
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Koorapaty, Havish, Cheng, Jung-Fu, Frenne, Mattias, Guey, Jiann-Ching, Larsson, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bokhari, Syed M
• Application Number:
  US13/470,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20130089065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/329, 370/280, 370/330
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2011/0096 Network synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2662 Symbol synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0023 Time-frequency-space
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0057 Physical resource allocation for CQI
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/002 Mutual synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0035 detecting errors in frequency or phase
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 based on the type of the allocated resource

Abstract

The scheduling flexibility of CSI reference signals enables time and frequency synchronization using multiple non-zero CSI-RSs transmitted in the same subframe, or using CSI-RSs transmitted in the same subframe with other synchronization signals. Also, multiple synchronization signals may be scheduled in the same subframe to enable fine time and frequency synchronization without cell-specific reference signals.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting reference signals for synchronization in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said method comprising:

transmitting a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal in a first slot of a plurality of subframes in accordance with a first configuration of transmission resources, wherein the first configuration of transmission resources defines a first allocation of time and frequency resources for the first CSI reference signal;

transmitting a second CSI reference signal in a second slot of one or more of the plurality of subframes in accordance with a second configuration of transmission resources, wherein the second configuration of transmission resources defines a second allocation of time and frequency resources for the second CSI reference signal, and

wherein transmitting the first CSI reference signal in accordance with the first configuration and transmitting the second CSI reference signal in accordance with the second configuration comprises transmitting the first and second CSI reference signals from the same antenna port in both the first slot and the second slot of at least a first subframe of the plurality of subframes,

wherein the first configuration of transmission resources supports transmission of CSI reference signals from a first set of antenna ports, the second configuration of transmission resources supports transmission of CSI reference signals from a second set of antenna ports having a smaller number of antenna ports than the first set, and the first and second sets of antenna ports include at least one common antenna port for transmission of the first and second CSI reference signals, and

wherein transmitting the first CSI reference signal in accordance with the first configuration comprises periodically transmitting the first CSI reference signal in the first slot of two or more subframes with a first repetition frequency, and transmitting the second CSI reference signal in accordance with the second configuration comprises periodically transmitting the second CSI reference signal in the second slot of two or more of the subframes with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting configuration information for the first and second CSI reference signals to the user terminal on a downlink broadcast channel.

3. A base station in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said base station comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to communicate with a user terminal over a wireless communicate channel; and

a control circuit providing reference signals for transmission to the user terminal via the transceiver circuit, said control circuit being configured to;

transmit a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal in a first slot of one or more subframes on a periodic basis with a first repetition frequency and from a first set of antenna ports;

transmit a second CSI reference signal in a second slot of one or more of the same subframes on a periodic basis with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency, and from a second set of antenna ports having a lower number of antenna ports from the first set; and

transmit the first and second CSI reference signals from a common antenna port included in both the first and second sets, in at least one of the same subframes.

4. The base station of claim 3 wherein the control circuit is further configured to transmit configuration information for the first and second CSI reference signals to the user terminal on a downlink broadcast channel.

5. A method of synchronization in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said method comprising:

receiving a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal in a first slot of a plurality of subframes in accordance with a first configuration of transmission resources, wherein the first configuration of transmission resources defines a first allocation of time and frequency resources for the first CSI reference signal;

receiving a second CSI reference signal in a second slot of one or more of the plurality of subframes in accordance with a second configuration of transmission resources difference from the first configuration, wherein the second configuration of transmission resources defines a second allocation of time and frequency resources for the second CSI reference signal;

wherein receiving the first CSI reference signal in accordance with the first configuration and receiving the second CSI reference signal in accordance with the second configuration comprises receiving CSI reference signals transmitted on the same antenna port during both the first slot and the second slot of at least a first subframe of the plurality of subframes; and

synchronizing with the OFDM system using the first and second CSI reference signals received during the first subframe;

wherein receiving the first CSI reference signal in accordance with the first configuration of transmission resources comprises periodically receiving the first CSI reference signal in the first slot of the two or more subframes with a first repetition frequency, and receiving the second CSI reference signal in accordance with the second configuration of transmission resources comprises periodically receiving the second CSI reference signal in the second slot of two or more of the subframes with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency;

wherein the first configuration of transmission resources supports transmission of CSI reference signals from a first set of antenna ports, the second configuration of transmission resources supports transmission of CSI reference signals from a second set of antenna ports, the first set of antenna ports has a larger number of antenna ports than the second set, and the first and second sets of antenna ports include at least one common antenna port for receiving of the first and second CSI reference signals.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising receiving configuration information for the first and second CSI reference signals on a downlink broadcast channel.

7. A user terminal in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said user terminal comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to communicate with a base station over a wireless communicate channel; and

a control circuit for synchronizing with the OFDM system, said control circuit being configured to;

receive a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal in a first slot of a plurality of subframes in accordance with a first configuration of transmission resources, wherein the first configuration of transmission resources defines a first allocation of time and frequency resources for the first CSI reference signal;

receive a second CSI reference signal in a second slot of one or more of the plurality of subframes in accordance with a second configuration of transmission resources difference from the first configuration, wherein the second configuration of transmission resources defines a second allocation of time and frequency resources for the second CSI reference signal;

receive the first and second CSI reference signals on the same antenna port in at least one of the plurality of subframes;

synchronize with the OFDM system using the first and second CSI reference signals;

periodically receive the first CSI reference signal in the first slot with a first repetition frequency, and periodically receive the second CSI reference signal in the second slot with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency; and

receive a first set of CSI reference signals in the first slot of two or more subframes from a first set of antenna ports, and receive the second CSI reference signal in the second slot of two or more of the same subframes from a second set of antenna ports having a lower number of antenna ports than the first set.

8. The user terminal of claim 7 wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive configuration information for the first and second CSI reference signals on a downlink broadcast channel.

9. A method of transmitting reference signals for synchronization in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said method comprising:

transmitting a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal, a primary synchronization signal or a secondary synchronization signal, in a first slot of a plurality of subframes on a periodic basis with a first repetition frequency and via a first set of antenna ports; and

transmitting a second CSI reference signal in a second slot of one or more of the plurality of subframes used for the transmission of the first CSI reference signal, the primary synchronization signal or the secondary synchronization signal on a periodic basis with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency and via a second set of antenna ports having a lower number of antenna ports than the first set.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting a control signal including configuration information for the second CSI reference signal to the user terminal on a downlink broadcast channel.

11. A base station in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said base station comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to communicate with a user terminal over a wireless communicate channel; and

a control circuit providing reference signals for transmission to the user terminal via the transceiver circuit, said control circuit being configured to;

transmit a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal, a primary synchronization signal or a secondary synchronization signal, in a first slot of a plurality of subframes on a periodic basis with a first repetition frequency and via a first set of antenna ports; and

transmit a second CSI reference signal in a second slot of one or more of the same subframes used for the transmission of the first CSI reference signal, the primary synchronization signal or the secondary synchronization signal, on a periodic basis with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency and via a second set of antenna ports having a lower number of antenna ports than the first set;

wherein the first and second sets have at least one common antenna port used to transmit both the second CSI reference signal and the first CSI reference signal, the primary synchronization signal or the secondary synchronization signal during the same subframe.

12. The base station of claim 11 wherein the control circuit is further configured to transmit a control signal including configuration information for the second CSI reference signal to the user terminal on a downlink broadcast channel.

13. A method of synchronization in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said method comprising:

receiving a synchronization signal that is transmitted in a first slot of a plurality of subframes, the transmission of the synchronization signal occurring on a periodic basis with a first repetition frequency and via a first set of antenna ports, and the synchronization signal comprising a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal, a primary synchronization signal or a secondary synchronization signal;

receiving a second CSI reference signal that is transmitted in a second slot of one or more of the plurality of subframes used for the transmission of the synchronization signal, the transmission of the second CSI reference signal occurring on a periodic basis with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency and via a second set of antenna ports having a lower number of antenna ports than the first set; and

synchronizing with the OFDM system using the second CSI reference signal and the synchronization signal.

14. The method of claim 13 further wherein:

receiving the synchronization signal comprises periodically receiving the synchronization signal in the first slot with the first repetition frequency; and

receiving the CSI reference signal comprises periodically receiving the CSI reference signal in the second slot with the second repetition frequency.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the synchronization signal comprises a secondary synchronization signal.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving a control signal including configuration information for the second CSI reference signal over a downlink broadcast channel.

17. A user terminal in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, said user terminal comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to communicate with a base station over a wireless communicate channel; and

a control circuit for synchronizing with the OFDM system, said control circuit being configured to;

receive a synchronization signal that is transmitted in a first slot of a plurality of subframes, the transmission of the synchronization signal occurring on a periodic basis with a first repetition frequency and via a first set of antenna ports, and the synchronization signal comprising a first channel state information (CSI) reference signal, a primary synchronization signal or a secondary synchronization signal;

receive a second CSI reference signal that is transmitted in a second slot of one or more of the plurality of subframes, the transmission of the second CSI reference signal occurring on a periodic basis with a second repetition frequency lower than the first repetition frequency and via a second set of antenna ports having a lower number of antenna ports than the first set; and

synchronize with the OFDM system using the second CSI reference signal and synchronization signal.

18. The user terminal of claim 17 wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

periodically receive the synchronization signal in the first slot with a first repetition frequency; and

periodically receive the second CSI reference signal in the second slot with a second repetition frequency different from the first repetition frequency.

19. The user terminal of claim 17 wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

receive a first set of synchronization signals in the first slot of one or more subframes over a first set of first antenna ports; and

receive the second CSI reference signal in the second slot of one or more of the same subframes from one of said antenna ports in said first set of antenna ports.

20. The user terminal of claim 17 wherein the synchronization signal comprises a secondary synchronization signal.

21. The user terminal of claim 17 wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive a control signal including configuration information for the second CSI reference signal over a downlink broadcast channel.