D2D Beamforming Responsibility Negotiation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current D2D communication methods in wireless networks face inefficiencies, particularly in reducing interference and optimizing beamforming for direct V2x/D2D links, which hampers the performance of proximity-based services and applications like public safety and commercial services.

Innovation Solution

The method involves negotiating and configuring beamforming responsibilities between wireless devices over direct D2D communication links, allowing either device to take on beamforming based on capabilities and scenario, thereby reducing omni-directional interference and enhancing link efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beamforming is implemented in D2D communication, then link efficiency and transmission directionality are improved, but device complexity and coordination overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink efficiencyVSAvoidbeamforming coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables wireless devices to autonomously negotiate and determine beamforming responsibility through direct interaction. Each device evaluates its own capabilities and the communication scenario to decide whether to perform beamforming, eliminating the need for complex network-side coordination and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining link efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the network controlling beamforming assignments in traditional cellular communication, the patent inverts the control mechanism by allowing D2D devices to self-determine beamforming responsibility through negotiation. This inversion simplifies the architecture by removing network involvement in beamforming decisions while achieving the same or better link efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If omni-directional transmissions are used in D2D communication, then device simplicity is maintained, but interference levels increase and link efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission simplicityVSAvoidomni-directional interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beamforming to direct transmissions locally toward the intended recipient device rather than radiating omni-directionally. By concentrating transmission energy in specific spatial directions through beamforming, the system reduces interference to other devices while maintaining simplicity through autonomous device-level implementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If network-controlled beamforming assignment is used, then beamforming optimization is achieved, but network overhead and control signaling increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeamforming optimizationVSAvoidnetwork coordination time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes beamforming responsibility through preliminary negotiation between D2D devices during link setup or resource allocation phases. By determining beamforming assignment in advance through direct device interaction rather than real-time network control, the system achieves beamforming optimization while minimizing ongoing network overhead and coordination time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4042737B1Wireless devices and methods therein for handling transmissions between the devices over a direct device-to-device (D2D) communication link
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4042737B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4042737B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4042737B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method performed by a first wireless device (121) is provided. The method comprises transmitting (503) a radio signal towards the at least one second wireless device indicating that the first wireless device is, or that the at least one second wireless device has an option to be, responsible for beamforming of transmissions over the direct D2D communication link. The method also comprises receiving (505) information from the at least one second wireless device indicating which of the first wireless device or the at least one second wireless device is to be responsible for beamforming of transmissions over the direct D2D communication link. Further, the method comprises configuring (506), based on the received information, which of the first wireless device or the at least one second wireless device is to be responsible for beamforming of transmissions over the direct D2D communication link.