5G NR Uplink Gap Configuration for UE Self-Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G NR systems face challenges in extending communication to higher frequency bands (52.6 GHz to 114.25 GHz) due to hardware sharing that requires periodic calibration and measurement operations, which disrupt UL transmission and reception, necessitating a solution to minimize disruption while maintaining system performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a UE-specific, network-configured uplink (UL) gap for calibration and measurement operations, with configurable parameters like gap length, periodicity, and type (with or without UL grant) to allow self-calibration and monitoring without interrupting UL transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If periodic calibration and measurement operations are performed during UL transmission, then transceiver hardware is calibrated and system reliability is improved, but UL transmission disruption increases and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidUL throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the calibration and measurement operations into specific periodic intervals called UL gaps, separating these operations from continuous UL transmission. This segmentation allows calibration to occur in dedicated time slots without completely interrupting the transmission schedule, thereby maintaining system reliability while minimizing throughput impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic calibration and measurement actions at predetermined intervals (UL gaps) rather than continuously or ad-hoc. This periodic approach ensures systematic hardware calibration for reliability while limiting the frequency and duration of transmission disruptions, thus balancing reliability improvement with throughput preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If UL gap configuration is implemented for calibration operations, then calibration precision is improved and system performance is maintained, but scheduling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration precisionVSAvoidscheduling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic UL gap configuration where gap parameters (timing, duration, frequency) can be adjusted based on system conditions, calibration requirements, and traffic demands. This dynamic approach enables precise calibration when needed while adapting the scheduling complexity to actual system requirements rather than using fixed rigid schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes scheduling parameters (gap offset, gap length, periodicity) to optimize both calibration precision and scheduling complexity. By allowing flexible parameter adjustment, the system achieves precise calibration measurements while managing scheduling complexity through configurable rather than hard-coded parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12526791B2Systems and methods for uplink gap configuration for transceiver calibration and transmit power management

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for configuring an uplink gap for a 5G NR user equipment.