IAB Guard Period Allocation for Interference-Free Link Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

IAB nodes experience significant interference during link state switching due to the lack of effective guard periods in integrated access backhaul systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for determining a first guard period for various switching scenarios of multiplexed link states in IAB nodes, including configurations through higher-layer or physical-layer signaling, to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If link state switching is implemented in IAB nodes to enable flexible multiplexed operations, then system adaptability and resource utilization are improved, but interference occurs during switching transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink state switching capabilityVSAvoidinterference during switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring guard periods before link state switching occurs. The guard period is predetermined and allocated in the time domain to prevent interference during the transition between different link states (DU transmit/receive and MT transmit/receive). This advance preparation ensures that switching operations can be performed without causing harmful interference to ongoing communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a guard period as an intermediary element between different link states. This guard period acts as a buffer or mediator that separates transmit and receive operations during switching transitions, preventing direct interference between conflicting operations. The guard period is configured based on switching scenarios and multiplexed link states to mediate the transition smoothly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If guard periods are configured for all switching scenarios to eliminate interference, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliability during switchingVSAvoidguard period configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring guard periods selectively for specific switching scenarios rather than uniformly for all scenarios. Different guard period configurations are applied based on the specific link state transitions and multiplexed operations involved. This localized approach ensures reliability where needed while avoiding unnecessary complexity in scenarios where guard periods are not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by dynamically adjusting guard period configurations based on switching scenarios, multiplexed link states, and operational conditions. The guard period parameters (duration, timing, allocation) are changed according to the specific switching context, allowing the system to maintain reliability while adapting to different operational requirements and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12538201B2Guard period determining method, network node, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

A guard period determining method includes: in a case that a parent integrated access backhaul (IAB) node of an IAB node supports that distributed unit (DU) receive and mobile termination (MT) receive are performed simultaneously, setting a first guard period for part of an MT transmit time period of the IAB node.