Wireless Guard Time Sensing for Uplink-Downlink Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in utilizing guard times between uplink and downlink transmissions for sensing operations, leading to underutilization of available resources.

Innovation Solution

Allocating resources for sensing based on guard times between uplink and downlink transmissions, allowing for the efficient use of these periods for sensing tasks, including the use of radio signals and radar techniques to detect environmental characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If guard time is allocated for traditional communication purposes, then communication reliability is maintained, but sensing functionality is lost during this period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing functionalityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guard time period is designed to serve dual purposes: traditional communication functions and sensing functions. The system allocates resources within the guard time for sensing operations while maintaining communication reliability, thereby achieving multi-functionality in what was previously a single-purpose time slot.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the guard time allocation based on communication traffic conditions and sensing requirements. When communication traffic is low, more guard time is allocated to sensing; when communication traffic is high, the allocation is adjusted to maintain communication reliability, enabling adaptive resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If sensing resources are allocated during guard time, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but communication interference may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guard time is segmented into different resource blocks that can be independently allocated for sensing or communication purposes. This segmentation allows the system to partition the time resources and allocate specific portions for sensing operations while keeping other portions available for communication, thereby reducing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary resource allocation mechanism that mediates between sensing and communication requirements. This intermediary layer manages the resource sharing, ensuring that sensing operations during guard time do not cause excessive communication interference by coordinating and scheduling transmissions appropriately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If complete guard time is used for sensing, then sensing accuracy is improved, but communication flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing accuracyVSAvoidcommunication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring complete guard time allocation for sensing, the system applies partial action by allocating only the necessary portion of guard time for sensing based on actual sensing requirements. This partial allocation maintains sufficient sensing accuracy while preserving communication flexibility and adaptability for other purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4679914A1Apparatus for a device for a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4679914A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP4679914A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4679914A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An apparatus for a device for a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising means for causing the device to: allocate resources for sensing based on a guard time between resources for downlink and uplink transmissions, perform sensing using the resources allocated for the sensing.