Slot Format Configuration for IAB Link Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The New Radio (NR) system faces challenges in flexible slot format configuration for access and backhaul links, particularly in managing switching between these links without prior information about adjacent slots, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and potential interference.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a first network device transmits link configuration information and slot format configuration to a second network device, allowing for dynamic slot-level resource allocation and flexible slot formats, including guard periods to facilitate smooth switching between access and backhaul links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic slot format configuration is implemented for access and backhaul links, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases due to lack of prior information about adjacent slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring slot formats in advance through higher layer signaling (RRC signaling) before actual data transmission occurs. The gNB configures the IAB-node with predetermined slot format configurations, allowing the node to prepare timing information and guard periods ahead of time, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining flexibility during dynamic resource allocation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If slot switching between access and backhaul links is enabled, then adaptability to traffic demands is improved, but interference increases due to timing alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by introducing guard periods between access link and backhaul link transmissions. These guard periods act as protective buffers that prevent interference during switching transitions. The gNB configures these guard periods in advance as part of the slot format configuration, ensuring that timing alignment issues do not cause interference even when traffic demands require rapid switching between link types.
3Productivity
If flexible slot formats are used for IAB nodes, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but timing alignment precision deteriorates without prior slot information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring slot format information through higher layer signaling before the actual transmission time. The gNB provides the IAB-node with advance knowledge of upcoming slot formats, allowing the node to pre-calculate timing alignment parameters and guard period durations. This ensures that even when flexible slot formats are used to optimize resource utilization, timing alignment precision is maintained because the necessary timing information was prepared in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, device and computer readable medium for slot format configuration. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for slot format configuration is performed at a network device. In the method, link configuration information is transmitted, wherein the link configuration indicates configuration for access and backhaul links for a time period; and slot format configuration information is transmitted, wherein the slot format configuration information indicates one or more slot formats for at least one of the access and backlinks to be used in the configuration for access and backhaul links for the time period.