Multi-RAT Sidelink Scheduling With Unified LTE-NR Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently allocating sidelink resources for user equipment (UEs) supporting multiple radio access technologies (RATs, such as LTE and NR) when the home base station does not support simultaneous allocation across these RATs.
Innovation Solution
A base station broadcasts a signal indicating dual-RAT support and UEs transmit sidelink information messages to request resources, including buffer status reports (BSRs) for each RAT, allowing the base station to allocate sidelink resources using both LTE and NR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a base station supports only a single RAT for sidelink resource allocation, then the base station complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but the adaptability to support multiple RATs (LTE and NR) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sidelink resource allocation process by introducing separate indication fields for different RATs within the same DCI format. The DCI is divided into LTE-specific fields and NR-specific fields, allowing independent configuration and allocation for each RAT without requiring complete system redesign for multi-RAT support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal DCI format that can serve multiple RATs simultaneously. By incorporating both LTE and NR indication fields in a single DCI structure, the base station achieves multi-functionality where one signaling mechanism handles resource allocation for both legacy LTE sidelink and new NR sidelink, reducing the need for separate allocation procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate resource allocation procedures are implemented for each RAT, then resource allocation precision is improved, but the scheduling overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the resource allocation indications for LTE and NR into a single DCI transmission. By combining the allocation fields for both RATs in one downlink control information message, the system achieves precise resource allocation for each RAT while avoiding the time penalty of separate allocation procedures. The UE can decode both LTE and NR resource assignments from a single DCI reception event.
3Productivity
If a unified DCI format is used for both LTE and NR sidelink allocation, then signaling efficiency is improved, but the measurement precision for RAT-specific parameters may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing RAT-specific configuration fields within the unified DCI structure. Each RAT (LTE and NR) has its own dedicated indication fields that maintain the specific parameter requirements and precision needs of each technology, while still being transmitted through a common signaling channel. This ensures that LTE parameters like resource pool indices and NR parameters like frequency domain allocations each receive appropriate precision treatment.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive a message indicating that a base station supports allocating resources for sidelink communications using a first interface and a New Radio, NR, PC5 interface. The UE may transmit a sidelink information message to the base station using the first interface that indicates that sidelink communications are to be performed using either the NR PC5 interface or both the first interface and the NR PC5 interface. The UE may receive a configuration message from the base station that comprises an identifier for the sidelink communications and an indication of available sidelink resources. The UE may transmit, based at least in part on the configuration message, a request for resources within the available sidelink resources, the request indicating the identifier and a buffer status report (BSR).