Joint Communication Sensing Resource Element Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in integrating sensing capabilities without significant additional costs, particularly in efficiently multiplexing communication and sensing signals to optimize spectral usage.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves transmitting frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signals and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals simultaneously at the resource element level, using a comb-based structure in the frequency domain to achieve spectral efficiency, allowing for joint communication and sensing operations within existing wireless communication frameworks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensing capabilities are integrated into wireless communication networks using existing nodes, then additional infrastructure costs are avoided, but signal multiplexing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the available spectrum into distinct resource elements, allocating specific resource elements for sensing signals (FMCW) and others for communication signals (OFDM). This segmentation enables independent optimization of each signal type while maintaining overall spectral efficiency, resolving the contradiction between using existing infrastructure and maintaining high spectral efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges sensing and communication functions within the same wireless network infrastructure, allowing base stations and user equipment to simultaneously perform both communication and sensing operations. By combining these functions and multiplexing their signals in the frequency domain, the system achieves cost-effective integration without sacrificing spectral efficiency.
2Productivity
If FMCW and OFDM signals are multiplexed in the frequency domain at the resource element level, then spectral efficiency is improved, but signal transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency spectrum into discrete resource elements and assigns specific patterns (comb structures) for FMCW and OFDM signals. This segmentation approach simplifies the multiplexing process by providing clear, predefined allocations rather than requiring complex dynamic resource management, thus improving spectral efficiency while controlling transmission complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic comb-based structures for signal allocation, where sensing and communication signals are systematically distributed across frequency resources in a repeating pattern. This periodic approach simplifies signal generation and processing compared to arbitrary allocations, achieving high spectral efficiency with manageable device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If joint communication and sensing operations are performed simultaneously, then operational versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs base stations and user equipment with multi-functional capabilities, enabling them to simultaneously perform communication and sensing operations using shared hardware resources. By making devices universal and capable of handling multiple signal types (FMCW for sensing, OFDM for communication), the system achieves operational versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines sensing and communication functionalities within the same device architecture, allowing a single base station or user equipment to execute both FMCW-based sensing and OFDM-based communication. This merging of functions enables versatile operations while avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware systems, thereby controlling device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure involve multiplexing the transmission of communications signals and sensing signals at the resource element level. A frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal and plurality of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals may be transmitted within an air interface frame structure having a plurality of resource elements, each resource element defined over a symbol duration in a time domain and a subcarrier in a frequency domain. The FMCW signal occupies a first plurality of resource elements and comprises a FMCW waveform repeated in the time domain and transmitted during a first symbol, over a first plurality of subcarriers of the air interface frame structure. The plurality of OFDM signals occupy a second plurality of resource elements in the air interface frame structure and are transmitted during the first symbol, over a second plurality of subcarriers of the air interface frame structure.