Mini-Slot Resource Allocation Pattern Signaling for mmW Beamforming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for mini-slots, particularly in millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum, where existing techniques for configuring start and length indicator (SLIV) patterns are inadequate for beamforming-based systems.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves resource allocation pattern signaling for mini-slots, where the base station configures SLIV patterns at the mini-slot level, allowing for rate adjustments across different TCI states, and the UE implicitly derives start and duration of subsequent mini-slots based on the initial SLIV pattern, reducing the need for explicit indications for each mini-slot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If SLIV patterns are configured at the slot level using existing techniques, then resource allocation can be supported for regular slots, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates for mini-slots with beamforming-based TCI states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsupport for multiple TCI states in mini-slots
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the resource allocation configuration into slot-level parameters and mini-slot-level parameters. The SLIV pattern is segmented into a base pattern at slot level and incremental adjustments at mini-slot level, allowing efficient support for multiple TCI states without reconfiguring the entire slot structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic rate adjustments for mini-slots based on TCI state configurations. The resource allocation can be dynamically modified for each mini-slot within a slot using rate adjustment parameters, enabling flexible adaptation to different beamforming requirements while maintaining overall slot structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If explicit indications are provided for each mini-slot's start and duration, then precise resource allocation is achieved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of mini-slot resource allocationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing complete explicit indications for each mini-slot, the patent provides partial indications through rate adjustment parameters. The UE derives the remaining information (start and duration) by combining the base SLIV pattern with the rate adjustment, achieving precise allocation with reduced signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs self-service by implicitly deriving the start and duration of subsequent mini-slots using the rate adjustment parameter and the base SLIV pattern. This eliminates the need for the network to explicitly signal each mini-slot's parameters, reducing overhead while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible scheduling is implemented across multiple TCI states, then resource allocation adaptability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibility across TCI statesVSAvoidcomplexity of resource allocation management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base SLIV pattern is pre-configured at the slot level before mini-slot allocation. This preliminary configuration provides a foundation that simplifies subsequent mini-slot scheduling, as the UE only needs to apply rate adjustments rather than calculating complete resource allocations from scratch for each mini-slot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses rate adjustment parameters to modify the base SLIV pattern for different mini-slots. By changing only the rate adjustment parameter rather than the entire SLIV configuration, the system achieves flexible scheduling across multiple TCI states while keeping the management complexity low through parameter-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3785478B1Resource allocation pattern signaling for mini-slots
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3785478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785478B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3785478B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive control information indicating a resource allocation pattern for a downlink transmission that is configured for transmission using a plurality of beams and a plurality of mini-slots, where a duration of a mini-slot is less than a duration of a slot. The UE may identify a start time of a first mini-slot of the plurality of mini-slots and a length of the first mini-slot based on the resource allocation pattern, and receive the downlink transmission based on the start time of the first mini-slot and the length of the first mini-slot.