Common Uplink Burst Structure for TDD Multiple Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in TDD networks, face challenges in achieving low latency and efficient multiple access for users with different modes, which is critical for real-time applications like tele-surgery, where rapid information transmission and response are essential.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a common uplink burst structure using non-orthogonal and orthogonal multiple access methods in TDD carriers, allowing simultaneous reception and combination of uplink bursts from coupled and decoupled mode users, enabling efficient resource allocation and interference handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If orthogonal multiple access is used for uplink bursts from coupled and decoupled mode users, then interference between users is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference reductionVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink burst resources by user mode (coupled vs. decoupled), allocating specific time-frequency resources to each mode. This segmentation enables orthogonal multiple access between modes, reducing interference while maintaining clear resource boundaries and management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different access methods to different user modes: orthogonal multiple access for coupled mode users and non-orthogonal multiple access for decoupled mode users. This local quality approach optimizes each mode's performance characteristics, achieving interference reduction where needed while maintaining high efficiency where applicable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If non-orthogonal multiple access is used for combining uplink bursts from coupled and decoupled mode users, then resource utilization efficiency increases, but interference between users increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidinterference between users
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the access method parameters based on user mode requirements. For decoupled mode users with higher power headroom, non-orthogonal parameters are applied to maximize efficiency. For coupled mode users, orthogonal parameters are used to minimize interference, dynamically adjusting the system's operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If separate uplink bursts are used for coupled and decoupled mode users, then interference is minimized, but latency increases due to sequential processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference minimizationVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the uplink burst processing of coupled and decoupled mode users into a simultaneous operation. By allowing both modes to transmit and be processed in the same time window with appropriate resource allocation, the system achieves parallel processing that reduces latency while maintaining interference management through the mixed access approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action by allowing both coupled and decoupled mode users to transmit uplink bursts simultaneously without sequential delays. This continuous operation eliminates waiting time and processing gaps, maintaining high system throughput and low latency while managing interference through the combined access methodology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Loss of time

If a common uplink burst structure is implemented for both user modes, then latency is reduced through simultaneous transmission, but device complexity increases for handling different access methods

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidhandling different access methods
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal uplink burst structure that serves both coupled and decoupled mode users simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows the same time-frequency resources to accommodate different access methods, reducing latency through parallel processing while the scheduling entity manages the complexity of handling both orthogonal and non-orthogonal access within a unified framework.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3387776B1Multiple access for users with different modes in a common uplink burst in a time division duplex subframe structure
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3387776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3387776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3387776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for methods, apparatus, and computer software for multiple access to a channel carrying a common uplink burst transmitted by users that utilize two different modes. Specifically, a coupled mode provides for range extension for users at a cell edge, while a decoupled mode provides for user data transmissions within the common uplink burst. Multiple access between these different modes may be provided in a non-orthogonal scheme by moderating the amount of interference between the respective modes. Further, multiple access between these different modes may be provided in an orthogonal scheme by utilizing interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA).