Full Duplex Wireless Communications with Self-Interference Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR millimeter wave (mmW) wireless communication systems face limitations in mobility due to insufficient coverage, device performance at high speeds, and complex beam management and handover procedures, which can be mitigated by enabling full duplex operation on inband frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of full duplex communication methods that allow for concurrent uplink and downlink transmissions on the same frequency band, with uplink resources being allocated within the downlink resources, enabling continuous and reliable communication while reducing interference through puncturing of resource elements and spatial beam separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If half duplex communication is used where device either transmits or receives at a given point in time, then interference between uplink and downlink is avoided, but communication efficiency and mobility support are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges uplink and downlink transmissions by allowing them to occur simultaneously on the same frequency band through full duplex operation. The base station transmits downlink signals while receiving uplink signals from the device at the same time, eliminating the need to alternate between transmission and reception modes as in half duplex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces self-interference cancellation mechanisms as an intermediary process to manage the interference inherent in full duplex operation. The system estimates and cancels the self-interference component from received signals, enabling reliable uplink reception despite simultaneous downlink transmission.
2Productivity
If full duplex communication is implemented with concurrent uplink and downlink transmissions on the same frequency band, then communication efficiency and mobility support are improved, but interference management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interference management process into distinct stages: self-interference estimation, interference cancellation, and residual interference handling. This segmentation allows the complex full duplex operation to be managed through systematic processing steps rather than attempting to handle all interference aspects simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary self-interference estimation and cancellation before processing the actual uplink signal. By pre-characterizing the self-interference channel and removing its effect in advance, the system simplifies subsequent signal processing and reduces the complexity of real-time interference management.
3Productivity
If uplink resources are allocated within downlink resources in full inband duplex communications, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but resource element puncturing is required which complicates resource management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by puncturing only the specific resource elements needed for uplink transmission within the downlink resource allocation, rather than allocating entirely separate resources. This selective puncturing approach allows uplink and downlink to share the same frequency band while minimizing impact on downlink performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource element puncturing where the base station can flexibly allocate uplink resources within downlink allocations based on instantaneous traffic demands. The puncturing pattern is dynamically adjusted to match uplink transmission requirements, optimizing spectrum utilization in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects described herein relate to configuring devices for performing full duplex communications, which may include inband full duplex communications for a given device or concurrent uplink and downlink communications for pairs or groups of devices.