Flexible Duplex Slot Configuration for Full-Duplex Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing duplex operations, particularly in 5G and beyond, due to issues such as co-channel and self-interference, cross-link interference, and latency in time division duplex (TDD) systems, which limit spectral efficiency and data throughput.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus for duplex operation in user equipment (UE) and base stations (BS) that dynamically adapt the direction of symbols based on slot configurations, using flexible slots with configurable bandwidths to enable full-duplex communication, mitigating interference through active and passive methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If time division duplex (TDD) is used to manage duplex operations, then co-channel and self-interference are mitigated, but latency increases and spectral efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slot configuration where the direction (UL/DL/F) of slots and symbols can be flexibly changed based on traffic demands and interference conditions. The base station configures different slot formats dynamically, allowing the system to transition from static TDD patterns to adaptive duplex operation, thereby reducing latency while managing interference through real-time adjustments rather than fixed time division patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of time slots by introducing flexible symbols within slots that can be dynamically assigned as UL, DL, or F (flexible) based on current network conditions. This parameter flexibility allows the system to optimize spectral efficiency and reduce latency by adapting to varying traffic patterns without being constrained by fixed TDD configurations
2Productivity
If flexible slots with configurable bandwidths are implemented for full-duplex communication, then spectral efficiency and data throughput improve, but interference management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the available time-frequency resources into slots with different configurations (UL, DL, or F symbols). Each slot can be independently configured with specific bandwidth parts, allowing the system to allocate resources efficiently for full-duplex operation while managing interference on a per-slot basis rather than system-wide, thus reducing overall management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that configures and coordinates the flexible slot structures between multiple user equipment. By centralizing the configuration control at the base station, the system manages interference complexity centrally rather than requiring distributed coordination between UEs, enabling full-duplex operation while keeping interference management tractable
3Loss of time
If simultaneous transmission and reception is enabled for full-duplex operation, then latency is reduced and spectral efficiency improves, but cross-link interference and self-interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring flexible symbols and guard periods in the slot structure before actual transmission occurs. These pre-planned configurations create protective intervals and frequency separations that proactively counteract potential self-interference and cross-link interference, enabling simultaneous UL/DL operation while mitigating harmful effects before they manifest
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for duplex operation in a wireless communication system. A method for operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, for a cell, first information indicating first slots with uplink (UL), downlink (DL), or flexible (F) symbols associated with a first bandwidth (BW) and second information indicating second slots with UL, DL, or F symbols associated with a second BW. The second slots are a subset of the first slots. The method further includes determining a first direction for a first set of symbols of the first slots based on the first information and a second direction for a second set of symbols of the second slots based on the first information and the second information. The method further includes transmitting or receiving over the first set of symbols and over the second set of symbols.