Full Duplex Slot Configuration for Wireless Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in configuring slots for full duplex communication, limiting the ability of user equipment (UE) to simultaneously perform uplink and downlink communications, which results in decreased throughput and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

A base station transmits information identifying a slot configuration to a user equipment (UE), which includes a full duplex slot format indicator. This allows the UE to simultaneously perform uplink and downlink communications during designated full duplex slots, increasing flexibility and efficiency in communication scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD) slot configurations are used, then the system maintains compatibility with existing wireless communication standards, but the user equipment cannot simultaneously perform uplink and downlink communications, resulting in decreased throughput and increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication throughputVSAvoidslot configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic slot configuration where the base station can flexibly assign slots as full duplex, uplink, or downlink based on real-time communication needs. The slot format indicator (SFI) enables dynamic switching between different slot types, allowing the system to adaptively optimize throughput by enabling simultaneous uplink and downlink transmissions when conditions permit, while maintaining the ability to revert to traditional TDD/FDD configurations when compatibility is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If full duplex slot configuration is implemented to enable simultaneous uplink and downlink communications, then throughput is enhanced and latency is reduced, but the complexity of slot configuration and coordination between base station and user equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidslot configuration operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a slot format indicator (SFI) as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies the coordination between base station and user equipment. The SFI carries configuration information that explicitly indicates which slots are designated as full duplex, uplink, or downlink slots. This intermediary structure automates the slot configuration process, reducing the operational complexity that would otherwise arise from direct negotiation and coordination between communicating parties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter changes in the slot format indicator to convey configuration information efficiently. By varying the SFI parameters, the base station can dynamically reconfigure slot types without requiring complex procedural negotiations. This parameter-based approach allows the system to transition between different slot configurations (full duplex, uplink, downlink) by simply changing the indicated parameters, thereby reducing operational complexity while enabling low-latency full duplex communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3909350B1Slot configuration for full duplex communication
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3909350B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3909350B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3909350B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive, from a base station (BS), information identifying a slot configuration indicating a slot format for each of a plurality of slots for a wireless communication link between the UE and the BS, wherein the information identifying the slot configuration includes a full duplex slot format indicator that is associated with at least one full duplex slot that is to be used for full duplex communication. The user equipment may communicate based at least in part on receiving the information identifying the slot configuration, with the BS using the at least one full duplex slot. Numerous other aspects are provided.