Inter-UE Coordination MAC Control Element Time-Domain Validity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inter-UE coordination (IUC) techniques fail to provide a way to define or convey a time-domain for wireless resources indicated in IUC information, and they also struggle to organize IUC for different reservation periodicities, leading to conflicts with discontinuous reception (DRX) procedures.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves sending an IUC request from one UE to another, with the responding UE including IUC information that specifies wireless resources along with a time-domain validity, which can indicate single or one-time use, a specific period, or multiple validity windows. This solution also configures latency bounds and extends DRX active times to ensure timely and valid IUC message exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current inter-UE coordination techniques are used, then UE communication is enabled, but time-domain validity for wireless resources is not defined and conflicts with DRX procedures occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIUC message exchange reliabilityVSAvoidIUC organization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IUC information by introducing distinct time-domain validity indicators for different reservation periodicities. This segmentation allows the system to organize IUC messages into separate categories based on their temporal characteristics, resolving the complexity of managing mixed periodicities and preventing conflicts with DRX procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by defining time-domain validity parameters in advance before actual resource allocation. By pre-specifying validity periods and DRX alignment parameters, the system prepares the framework for conflict-free IUC exchange, eliminating the need for complex real-time negotiations and reducing reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If IUC information is exchanged without time-domain validity definition, then communication flexibility is maintained, but resource conflicts and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidIUC messaging latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic time-domain validity parameters that can be adjusted based on DRX configurations and service requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize resource allocation timing, reducing latency by aligning IUC messages with active DRX periods while maintaining communication flexibility through configurable validity windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters by introducing explicit time-domain validity fields, DRX alignment indicators, and periodicity-specific validity parameters. These parameter changes transform the IUC message structure to include temporal constraints, enabling the system to reduce latency through precise timing control while maintaining flexibility via configurable parameter values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If IUC is organized for different reservation periodicities, then resource allocation flexibility improves, but complexity of managing multiple periodicities increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation adaptabilityVSAvoidIUC organization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments IUC management by creating separate handling mechanisms for different reservation periodicities. Each periodicity type (e.g., semi-persistent, dynamic) receives dedicated validity parameters and processing rules, allowing the system to maintain high adaptability for diverse resource allocation patterns while reducing overall complexity through structured segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves universality by designing a unified IUC framework that handles multiple reservation periodicities through a common message structure with periodicity-specific parameters. This multi-functional approach allows single IUC messages to accommodate various resource allocation patterns, improving adaptability while avoiding the complexity of separate management systems for each periodicity type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250175972A1Systems, methods, and devices for mac layer inter-UE coordination (IUC)

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 APPLE INC

AI summary

Techniques, described herein, include solutions for enabling inter-user equipment (UE) coordination (IUC) using media access control (MAC) control elements (CE). A first UE may send an IUC request to a second UE, and the second UE may respond with a MAC CE that includes IUC information. The IUC information may indicated one or more wireless resources that the first UE may use to communicate with the second UE. The IUC information may also include a time-domain validity for wireless resources, which may include one or more durations of time the wireless resources may be used for communication. The first UE may also implement a latency bound during which the second UE is to respond with the IUC information. In some implementations, discontinuous reception (DRX) may be used by the first and second UEs, and DRX active times of the UEs may be modified or configured to facilitate IUC.