Multi-User Uplink Coordination for Lower Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing uplink transmissions from multiple user terminals, particularly in scenarios where not all terminals support advanced signaling techniques like SDMA, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization and increased traffic.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) system with a clear-to-transmit (CTX) message mechanism that allows simultaneous uplink transmissions from multiple user terminals, optimizing transmission durations and reducing interference through coordinated spatial processing and feedback mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple user terminals transmit uplink data simultaneously using shared channel resources, then bandwidth utilization improves, but interference between terminals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink transmission resources by introducing orthogonal cover codes that divide the shared channel into orthogonal sub-channels. Each user terminal is assigned a unique orthogonal cover code, allowing simultaneous transmissions to be separated at the receiver, thus maintaining high bandwidth utilization while eliminating interference between users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If transmission opportunity duration is extended to accommodate more data, then data throughput increases, but time required for transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of transmission opportunity duration dynamically based on channel conditions and data requirements. The access point determines optimal transmission durations for multiple terminals and coordinates their transmissions to complete within these optimized time windows, achieving high data throughput without excessive transmission time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If coordinated spatial processing is implemented for multi-user MIMO, then system performance improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the access point as an intermediary that performs the complex spatial processing and coordination functions. The access point receives data from multiple terminals, performs multi-user MIMO processing, and manages transmission opportunities. This centralizes the complexity at the access point while keeping terminal devices simple, thereby improving system performance without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3292728B1Methods and apparatus for multiple user uplink
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3292728B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3292728B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3292728B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed that may provide for selective multi-user uplink (UL) of data for wireless devices. For example, a first wireless device may request permission to initiate a UL transmission to a second wireless device. The first wireless device may then receive, from the second wireless device, permission to initiate the UL transmission according to a multi-user (MU) UL protocol, determine a threshold duration for the UL transmission, and transmit UL data to the second wireless device according to the MU UL protocol and the threshold duration.