IRS Reflection Coefficient Control for Cross-Link Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication systems fail to effectively leverage intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) to manage cross-link interference (CLI) between wireless communication devices, leading to interference and reduced resource efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implement network information exchanges between network nodes to configure IRSs for mitigating CLI by generating reflection coefficient measurements and configuring IRSs to reduce or eliminate interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wireless communication systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but cross-link interference cannot be effectively managed and resource efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCLI management capabilityVSAvoidnetwork information exchange mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) as intermediary devices between network nodes and user equipment. These IRSs act as mediators that can be configured to redirect signals and manage cross-link interference through reflection coefficient adjustments, enabling interference mitigation without requiring direct complex coordination between all network nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic configuration of IRS reflection coefficients based on network conditions. The system can adaptively adjust the reflection coefficients of IRS elements in response to changing CLI conditions, allowing the system to dynamically optimize interference management performance rather than using static configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If IRSs are deployed to manage CLI, then interference reduction is improved, but network configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-link interferenceVSAvoidIRS configuration system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IRS into multiple controllable elements, each with adjustable reflection coefficients. This segmentation allows the system to independently control different portions of the reflecting surface, enabling fine-grained interference management while distributing the configuration complexity across multiple manageable units rather than requiring control of a single large complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent manages IRS configuration by adjusting reflection coefficients as key parameters. Rather than requiring complex structural reconfiguration, the system optimizes interference management by changing the electrical parameters (reflection coefficients) of the IRS elements, which simplifies the control mechanism while maintaining effective CLI mitigation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If network information exchange for IRS configuration is implemented, then CLI mitigation effectiveness is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCLI mitigation performanceVSAvoidnetwork information exchange overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary configuration of IRS reflection coefficients before actual interference occurs. By pre-configuring the IRS with appropriate reflection coefficients based on predicted or historical CLI conditions, the system can mitigate interference proactively rather than requiring continuous real-time information exchange and reconfiguration, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables IRS elements to autonomously adjust their reflection coefficients based on local measurements and network conditions. This self-service capability reduces the need for constant centralized control and extensive network information exchange, as the IRS can independently optimize its operation to mitigate CLI while using only essential control signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances interference reduction and resource efficiency by utilizing IRSs to manage CLI, improving communication quality and network performance.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) to manage cross-link interference (CLI)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4338318B1Network information exchange for cross-link interference management with intelligent reflecting surfaces
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4338318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4338318B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4338318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Example aspects include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium of managing cross-link interference (CLI) by a first network node of a wireless communication network, comprising generating a reflection coefficient measurement configuration for an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) controlled by the first network node to mitigate the CLI caused by a first user equipment (UE) controlled by the first network node to a second UE controlled by a second network node. The aspects further include transmitting network information comprising the reflection coefficient measurement configuration. Additionally, the aspects further include receiving, in response to transmitting the network information, CLI measurement information associated with the second UE. Additionally, the aspects further include identifying a particular reflection coefficient from a set of different reflection coefficients associated with the reflection coefficient measurement configuration. Additionally, the aspects further include configuring the IRS with the particular reflection coefficient.