Full-Duplex Communication Scheduling for Flexible Uplink and Downlink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face inefficiencies in resource allocation due to delayed channel state information and unpredictable traffic patterns, leading to suboptimal modulation and coding schemes, particularly in full-duplex systems, which can result in resource waste and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication control mechanism that allows user equipment to flexibly select between uplink and downlink transmissions on allocated resources, using full-duplex scheduling with overlapping time domains, and enabling explicit or implicit indications for priority and resource utilization based on channel conditions and quality of service requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional half-duplex scheduling is used, then device complexity is reduced and compatibility is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic full-duplex scheduling where the network can flexibly switch between half-duplex and full-duplex modes based on channel conditions, traffic patterns, and QoS requirements. The scheduling mechanism dynamically allocates uplink and downlink resources in overlapping time domains, allowing real-time adaptation to changing conditions while maintaining optimized resource utilization without requiring complete redesign of the scheduling architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The scheduling mechanism is designed to support multiple communication modes (half-duplex and full-duplex) within a unified framework. The same scheduling entity can handle both traditional half-duplex allocations and advanced full-duplex allocations with overlapping time resources, providing multi-functionality that improves productivity while managing complexity through a single versatile scheduling architecture

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

2Productivity

If full-duplex communication with overlapping time domain resources is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to self-interference and uplink/downlink contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality levels to different time domain resources within the full-duplex allocation. Certain time slots or resource blocks are designated with higher protection levels for uplink or downlink transmissions based on channel conditions, QoS requirements, and interference levels. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high resource utilization while ensuring reliable transmission for critical data by applying enhanced protection measures selectively to specific resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the receiving end reports channel quality indicators, interference levels, and transmission success/failure information to the scheduling entity. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of full-duplex allocation parameters, power levels, and modulation schemes to maintain reliability while maximizing resource utilization efficiency in changing channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible uplink/downlink selection is enabled, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control signaling and processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables user equipment to autonomously determine whether to transmit uplink or receive downlink based on locally available information such as buffer status, channel conditions, and QoS requirements, without requiring explicit per-transmission signaling from the network. The UE self-manages the selection between uplink and downlink modes within its allocated full-duplex resources, reducing control signaling overhead and processing complexity while maintaining high adaptability to changing communication conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides preliminary configuration information to the user equipment in advance, including full-duplex resource allocations, priority rules for uplink/downlink selection, and QoS parameters. This preliminary action enables the UE to make autonomous decisions without real-time signaling, reducing control complexity while maintaining flexibility in adapting to different traffic patterns and channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4097929B1Communication control mechanism using full duplex communication connection
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4097929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4097929B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4097929B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for use by a communication network control element or function configured to control a communication in a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to determine a configuration for a communication element or function for communicating in the communication network, the configuration enabling a full duplex based scheduling flexibility allowing the communication element or function to select using allocated resources for at least one of transmitting in uplink and receiving in downlink, wherein the allocated resources are at least partially overlapping in time domain, and to provide, to the communication element or function, the configuration.