Dual Connectivity Carrier Coordination for In-Device Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-device coexistence (IDC) interference occurs in user equipment (UE) due to the proximity and spectral closeness of multiple radio transceivers using diverse radio protocols like LTE, NR, GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth, which is exacerbated in multi-RAT Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) scenarios, where existing solutions like FDM and TDM are inadequate or unavailable.

Innovation Solution

Implementing coordination between a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN) in MR-DC scenarios to configure time division multiplexing (TDM) or frequency division multiplexing (FDM) to mitigate IDC by exchanging data on affected carrier frequencies, deactivating Secondary Cells (SCells), switching carrier bandwidth parts, and restricting physical resource blocks to resolve interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radio transceivers are collocated in UE to enable multiple diverse radio protocols, then communication versatility is improved, but in-device interference occurs due to physical proximity and spectral closeness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidin-device interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operation of multiple radio transceivers by dividing time resources into different time periods or slots, allowing each transceiver to operate in designated time windows. This time-division approach separates the operations of LTE, NR, GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth transceivers, preventing simultaneous interference while maintaining all communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic configuration of time division multiplexing patterns that can be adjusted based on current radio conditions, traffic requirements, and interference scenarios. The TDM configuration is not static but can be modified in real-time to optimize performance and adapt to changing operational requirements of different radio protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If FDM-based solutions are used to resolve IDC interference, then interference mitigation is achieved, but network deployment flexibility is reduced when alternate carrier frequencies are unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIDC interferenceVSAvoidnetwork deployment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameter from frequency domain separation (FDM) to time domain separation (TDM). Instead of requiring alternate carrier frequencies, the system uses different time periods or slots for different radio protocols, eliminating the need for frequency availability checks and maintaining network deployment flexibility while still mitigating IDC interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by switching from frequency-division multiplexing to time-division multiplexing. Rather than allocating different frequencies to different protocols, the system allocates different time resources, fundamentally reversing the dimension in which resources are divided and solving the frequency availability constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If TDM solution is implemented for IDC mitigation, then interference resolution is achieved, but MR-DC coordination capability is limited when one RAT comprises 5G NR

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIDC interferenceVSAvoidMR-DC coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal TDM framework that works across multiple radio access technologies including both 4G LTE and 5G NR. The same time division multiplexing mechanisms and coordination procedures apply regardless of which RATs are involved, providing a multi-functional solution that handles MR-DC scenarios without requiring technology-specific modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces network nodes (base stations, core network elements) as intermediaries that facilitate coordination between multiple radio protocols in MR-DC scenarios. These intermediaries manage the TDM configuration, exchange capability information, and resolve conflicts, reducing the coordination burden on the UE and enabling complex multi-RAT operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260020009A1Apparatus and methods for avoiding interference for in-device coexistence

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

In some examples, master node (MN), in a telecommunication network, wherein the telecommunication network further comprises a secondary node (SN) and a user equipment (UE), and wherein the UE, is operable in dual connectivity (DC), with the MN, and with the SN, such that the UE, can transmit and receive data on multiple carriers of the MN, and the SN, is configured to receive, from the UE, data representing an indication of a set of carrier frequencies and/or a set of carrier frequency ranges or a combination of candidate serving frequencies or frequency ranges, wherein the MN is further configured to use a configuration, on the basis of the data received from the UE, by the SN, of the telecommunications network, for time division multiplexing (TDM), or frequency division multiplexing (FDM), whereby to mitigate the effects of the IDC.