Full-Duplex Uplink Beam Selection for IAB Self-Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy IAB systems operating in half-duplex mode face inefficiencies in radio resource spectrum utilization and cannot handle dynamic or urgent traffic scenarios, leading to reduced system throughput and impaired reception performance due to self-interference in full-duplex communication.

Innovation Solution

Implement full-duplex communication at network nodes, such as IAB nodes, by determining beam priorities and minimizing interference between uplink and downlink channels using beamforming techniques to enable concurrent transmission and reception, thereby optimizing resource allocation and supporting dynamic traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If full-duplex communication is implemented at network nodes, then system capacity and spectral efficiency are improved, but self-interference between uplink and downlink channels worsens reception performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidreception performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication channels by determining separate beam priorities for uplink and downlink channels. The network node divides the full-duplex communication into independent beam management processes, allowing separate optimization and interference control for each direction, thereby enabling high system capacity while maintaining reception performance through structured beam separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces beam priority determination as an intermediary mechanism between uplink and downlink channels. By establishing beam priorities and using beamforming techniques, the system creates a mediating layer that manages the interaction between simultaneous transmit and receive operations, reducing self-interference while preserving full-duplex benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If beamforming techniques are used to minimize interference, then reception performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception performanceVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining beam priorities for uplink and downlink channels before actual communication occurs. The network node pre-establishes beam configurations and priority levels, so that when full-duplex communication begins, the beamforming structures are already in place to minimize interference, reducing the need for complex real-time adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If legacy half-duplex operation is used, then self-interference is avoided, but radio resource spectrum utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidspectrum utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by enabling the network node to adaptively switch between operational modes and dynamically adjust beam priorities based on traffic conditions. The system can dynamically determine uplink and downlink beam priorities in response to changing spectrum utilization needs, allowing it to achieve high spectrum efficiency when full-duplex is beneficial while maintaining interference avoidance capabilities when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances system capacity and enables efficient delivery of packets in both directions, addressing the limitations of half-duplex systems by improving spectral efficiency and handling urgent traffic demands.

Implementation Method 1

determining beam priorities and minimizing interference between uplink and downlink channels using beamforming techniques

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Data Source

PatentEP4022985B1Uplink beam determination in wireless communication system with full-duplex
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4022985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4022985B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4022985B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are techniques related to wireless communication system to enable full duplex communication. A network node is configured to communicate with a parent node and a child node. The network node may include a transceiver, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. The transceiver, memory, and processor may be configured to determine uplink (UL) parent and child link priorities for parent and child time-domain resources that overlap in time at least partially. The transceiver, memory, and processor may also be configured to determine UL parent and child beams based on the UL parent and child link priorities. The transceiver, memory, and processor may further be configured to notify the parent node of the UL parent beam for the parent and child time-domain resources. The transceiver, memory, and processor may yet further be configured to concurrently transmit parent traffic to the parent node using the UL parent beam and receive child traffic from the child node using the UL child beam.