IAB Soft Resource Indication in Multi-TRP Conflict Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for IAB-MT in multi-DCI based multi-TRP operation fail to effectively handle conflicts in soft resource availability indications due to independent DCI from multiple TRPs, leading to collisions and inefficient resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for IAB-MT that applies soft resource availability indications based on novel approaches, including dynamic coordination and predefined time offsets to resolve conflicts and ensure consistent resource availability across TRPs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If independent DCI from multiple TRPs are used for resource allocation, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but resource collision and conflict increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidresource collision conflict
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinator entity that acts as an intermediary between multiple TRPs and the IAB-MT. This coordinator receives resource allocation requests from multiple TRPs, resolves conflicts between them, and coordinates resource assignments to prevent collisions at the IAB-MT, thereby maintaining both flexibility and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the IAB-MT reports resource availability and collision status back to the network. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of resource allocations from multiple TRPs, allowing the system to adapt and resolve conflicts based on real-time conditions while maintaining allocation flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If soft resource availability indication is applied without coordination, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but conflict resolution complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidconflict resolution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies soft resource availability indications in advance before actual resource allocation conflicts occur. By pre-coordinating resource availability status from multiple TRPs and resolving potential conflicts beforehand, the system improves resource utilization efficiency while avoiding the need for complex real-time conflict resolution mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of resource availability from a static binary state to a dynamic soft indication that can be adjusted based on coordination outcomes. This parameter change allows for more nuanced resource management, improving utilization efficiency while keeping conflict resolution complexity manageable through standardized adjustment rules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4226520B1IAB soft resource availability indication with m-TRP framework
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4226520B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4226520B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4226520B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In accordance with example embodiments of the discosure there is at least a method and apparatus to perform receiving from a network node, by a network device of a communication network, information including a configuration for monitoring an indication of soft symbol availability from a communication network that uses at least one parent node to support the network device; based on the configuration, determining by the network device to monitor the indication of soft symbol availability from the at least one parent, wherein the determining is based on the indication of soft symbol availability being from one parent or more than one parent of the at least one parent; and based on the determining, performing measures by the network device before applying indicated changes for a usage of the soft symbol at the network device. Further, to perform determining, by a network node of a communication network, information for a network device including a configuration for monitoring an indication of soft symbol availability from a communication network that uses at least one parent node to support the network device; and based on the determining, sending the information towards the network device, wherein the information is to cause network device to perform measures comprising monitoring the indication of soft symbol availability from the at least one parent and applying indicated changes for a usage of the soft symbol based on the indication of soft symbol availability being from one parent or more than one parent.