IAB Node Full-Duplex RRM via Hybrid Muting Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio resource management techniques for 5G networks face challenges in efficiently utilizing CSI-RS resources, leading to significant data throughput loss and reduced system capacity due to high time-frequency resources required for channel state information estimation across multiple numerologies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for integrated access and backhaul nodes to support full-duplex operation, allowing both transmission and reception of synchronization signal blocks in the same time slot, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing latency, and configuring hybrid full-duplex plus half-duplex patterns based on network capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional half-duplex operation is used for integrated access and backhaul, then interference between transmission and reception is avoided, but transmission latency increases and resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidtransmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between half-duplex and full-duplex operation modes based on channel conditions, traffic requirements, and interference levels. The network can adaptively configure IAB nodes to operate in full-duplex mode when conditions permit, reducing latency, while falling back to half-duplex mode when interference management is prioritized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from strict half-duplex to full-duplex mode, enabling simultaneous transmission and reception at IAB nodes. This parameter change is accompanied by advanced interference cancellation techniques and optimized resource allocation to manage the trade-off between latency reduction and interference control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If full-duplex operation is implemented at integrated access backhaul nodes, then transmission latency is reduced and resource utilization improves, but interference management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidinterference management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interference management process into multiple independent components: channel estimation, interference measurement, cancellation algorithm selection, and resource allocation. Each component can be optimized separately and combined to achieve overall interference management in full-duplex mode without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The introduction of interference measurement resources (IMR) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables the network to characterize and manage interference in full-duplex operation. These intermediary signals provide the necessary information for interference cancellation algorithms to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple numerologies are supported for diverse service requirements, then service versatility improves, but channel state information estimation resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice support capabilityVSAvoidCSI-RS resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes CSI-RS resources multi-functional by designing them to serve both channel estimation and interference measurement purposes simultaneously. The same reference signal structure is used across multiple numerologies, allowing a single set of resources to support diverse service requirements without proportional increases in resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the configuration parameters of CSI-RS resources to be shared across multiple numerologies rather than dedicating separate resources to each. By adjusting parameters such as bandwidth, periodicity, and resource element allocation, the same CSI-RS structure can adapt to support different numerologies and service types efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11350409B2Radio resource management for full-duplex operation of integrated access and backhaul for 5G or other next generation network

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Integrate access and backhaul (IAB) nodes can multiplex access and backhaul links in time, frequency, or space, which includes the transmission of signals and/or channels utilized as part of initial access and measurements used for radio resource management (RRM). The same physical layer signals and channels used for these purposes by access a user equipment device can be reused for performing similar procedures at the IAB node. Consequently, the IAB node can leverage various muting patterns to employ the use of half-duplex and full-duplex synchronization signal block radio resource management such that mobile terminal functionality and distributed unit functionality of the IAB node can receive and transmit signals simultaneously.