Self-Interference Measurement in Millimeter Wave Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems in millimeter wave (mmW) bands face challenges in accurately measuring and managing self-interference and cross-link interference, which affect communication efficiency and reliability due to increased signal attenuation and interference from concurrent transmissions.

Innovation Solution

User equipment (UE) receives configuration information from a base station to select compatible slot format indices (SFIs) for measuring interference, allowing for estimation of cross-link and self-interference, and transmits measurement reports to adjust communication settings, thereby identifying compatible SFIs and beamforming parameters for improved communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If millimeter wave bands are used for wireless communication, then data transmission capacity and bandwidth are improved, but signal attenuation and interference from concurrent transmissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary interference measurements by configuring UEs to measure reference signals during specific slot formats before actual data transmission. The base station collects measurement reports from multiple UEs and identifies compatible slot formats in advance, preventing interference issues before they affect communication reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where UEs report measured interference levels and compatible slot format indices back to the base station. The base station uses this feedback to dynamically adjust slot format configurations and beamforming parameters, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes communication reliability in mmW bands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If interference measurements are performed to improve communication reliability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and measurement overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential interference measurement information needed for reliability improvement. Instead of comprehensive channel measurements, UEs measure specific reference signals during configured slot formats and report only compatible slot format indices and interference levels, reducing measurement overhead while maintaining reliability benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes measurement parameters dynamically based on slot format configurations. The base station configures different measurement parameters (reference signal resources, measurement slots, reporting formats) according to the specific slot format being used, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and device complexity for each communication scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If slot format indices are configured for interference measurement compatibility, then communication efficiency is improved, but loss of time for measurement and reporting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement and reporting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic interference measurements at specifically configured intervals defined by slot format indices. UEs perform measurements only during predetermined measurement slots rather than continuously, and report results periodically. This periodic approach maintains communication efficiency by minimizing measurement overhead while still providing timely interference information for dynamic resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4136783B1Methods for self-interference and cross-link interference measurements in millimeter wave bands
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4136783B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4136783B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4136783B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described for self-interference or cross-link interference measurements at a user equipment (UE). A UE may receive configuration information from a base station that indicates one or more slot format index (SFI) values that are compatible for cross-link interference or self-interference measurements. Based on the configured SFI(s), the UE may measure interference in multiple symbols, which may be used to estimate an amount of cross-link interference or self-interference, and the UE may transmit a measurement report to the base station. The base station, based on the measurement report, may identify one or more compatible SFIs, beam pairs, or combinations thereof, for subsequent communications with one or more UEs. The interference measurements may identify cross-link interference at the UE that results from transmissions of a different UE, or may identify self-interference of concurrent communications of multiple channels at a same UE.