Half-Duplex Configuration in NR FDD Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face challenges in reducing device complexity and improving resource utilization for half-duplex communications, which are essential for multi-band support and low-tier UE operations like smart wearables and IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
Enabling half-duplex UE operation in NR FDD bands by reusing FDD frame structures and TDD-like HARQ timelines, allowing UEs to determine configurations with distinct PDCCH and uplink short bursts associated with HARQ timelines, and configuring access points to manage different half-duplex configurations for efficient resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If half-duplex communication is implemented in FDD bands, then device complexity is reduced by eliminating duplexers, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates without special configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slot direction configuration where each slot can be dynamically assigned as downlink or uplink direction through RRC signaling and DCI indicators. This allows the system to adaptively switch communication directions on a per-slot basis, enabling efficient resource utilization for half-duplex UEs while maintaining flexibility to accommodate varying traffic demands and channel conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes periodic HARQ timelines with configured round-trip times for downlink and uplink directions. By implementing periodic feedback mechanisms with predetermined timing relationships between data transmission and acknowledgment receipt, the system ensures reliable communication while optimizing resource allocation patterns for half-duplex operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional FDD frame structures are used without TDD-like HARQ timelines, then implementation is simpler, but resource utilization for half-duplex UEs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal frame structure that supports both full-duplex and half-duplex operation modes. By designing configurable slot directions and flexible HARQ timelines that can be adapted through signaling, the same physical layer framework serves multiple operational modes, eliminating the need for separate implementation paths while optimizing resource utilization for half-duplex UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter configuration through RRC signaling and DCI to dynamically adjust HARQ timeline parameters, slot directions, and timing offsets. By changing these parameters based on UE capability and traffic requirements, the system optimizes resource utilization without requiring fundamental changes to the frame structure, maintaining implementation simplicity while achieving high efficiency.
3Device complexity
If single half-duplex configuration is used for all UEs, then configuration management is simpler, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inability to optimize for different UE requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration space into multiple half-duplex configuration options, each with distinct downlink and uplink timing relationships. The access point can assign different configuration indices to different UEs based on their specific requirements, enabling optimized resource allocation for each UE while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized configuration templates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration where UEs with specific capabilities (e.g., half-duplex operation) are automatically assigned appropriate configuration parameters through capability reporting and network-side configuration selection. This reduces manual configuration complexity while ensuring each UE receives optimized settings for its operational characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A UE may be configured for half-duplex communications. An access point may configure half-duplex UEs for efficient resource utilization using two or more different half-duplex configurations that include different timing for channels in different directions. A UE may determine a half-duplex configuration for use in communicating with the access point, each slot of the half-duplex configuration including at least a PDCCH on a downlink frequency and an uplink short burst on an uplink frequency, and each slot associated with a HARQ timeline. The UE may determine a direction for a slot. The UE may transmit or receive according to the direction for the slot and the half-duplex configuration.