Dynamic Duplex Direction Switching for Wireless Control Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face limitations in spectral efficiency and flexibility due to fixed duplex directions in time-frequency resources, leading to inefficient control signaling and resource wastage, especially in half-duplex systems where nodes cannot transmit and receive simultaneously on the same frequency band.

Innovation Solution

A method where a communication node determines the direction of communication for time-frequency resources to be switched dynamically, allowing for flexible duplex operations, enabling efficient exchange of control signaling with multiple nodes within a frame while minimizing signaling among nodes, by reserving specific resources for reference signals and control information and switching their direction as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed duplex directions are used in time-frequency resources, then resource allocation is simple and stable, but spectral efficiency and flexibility deteriorate due to inability to adapt to varying traffic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in duplex operationsVSAvoidcomplexity of resource allocation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching of duplex directions for control signaling resources. The system allows communication nodes to switch between transmission and reception directions in different time-frequency resources based on traffic conditions, transforming the static resource allocation into a dynamic adaptive system that improves spectral efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through structured switching patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If control signaling is exchanged with multiple nodes simultaneously, then network throughput increases, but signaling overhead and resource conflict increase in half-duplex systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control signaling resources into multiple time-frequency resources with different duplex directions. By dividing the control signaling exchange into separate resources for different node pairs, the system enables simultaneous multi-node communication while avoiding resource conflicts and reducing signaling overhead through efficient resource partitioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the time-frequency domain as an additional dimension for resource allocation. By assigning different time-frequency resources to different node pairs for control signaling, the system enables parallel communication without interference, effectively adding a dimensional layer to resolve resource conflicts in half-duplex systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If time-frequency resources are reserved for control information, then control signaling reliability is ensured, but resource utilization efficiency decreases due to fixed allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signaling reliabilityVSAvoidresource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of time-frequency resource allocation by dynamically adjusting duplex directions for control signaling resources. This allows the system to maintain reserved resources for control information reliability while optimizing their utilization by adapting allocation patterns to actual traffic conditions, reducing resource wastage through parameter adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3225064B1Method and device for transmission and reception of time-frequency resources
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3225064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3225064B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3225064B1 patent drawingFigure 4~9

AI summary

A method for performing transmission or reception by a first communication node (511) in at least one of: a first set of time-frequency resources (1201) and a second set of time-frequency resources (1202) in a frame (1200). The first and the second set of time-frequency resources (1201, 1202) are reserved for communication of reference signal and/or control information in a pre-arranged direction of: transmission and reception to or from one or more second communication nodes (512). The first communication node determines (1301) that the direction of communication of at least one of the first and second set is to be switched for at least one frame (1200). The first communication node also performs (1306) transmission or reception of control information in at least one of the first and second set of time-frequency resources (1202) according to the determined switched direction to or from, one or more third communication nodes (513).