Multi-Band Uplink Switching With Shorter RF Chain Skip Intervals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The waste of uplink transmission resources occurs when a terminal device switches between multiple bands, as it reserves resources without performing transmissions during switching periods.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device and network device coordinate uplink transmissions by adjusting time domain locations and skipping transmissions during minimum switching periods, utilizing multiple radio frequency chains to optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal device reserves uplink transmission resources during band switching, then the switching reliability is improved, but the uplink transmission resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching reliabilityVSAvoiduplink transmission resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the uplink transmission resource reservation duration based on the actual switching period. Instead of always reserving resources for the maximum switching period, the terminal device determines the actual switching completion time and releases resources earlier when switching is completed ahead of schedule, making the resource management flexible and adaptive to actual switching performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of resource reservation time from a fixed maximum switching period to a dynamic value based on actual switching performance. The terminal device reports the actual switching period to the network device, which then adjusts the resource reservation duration accordingly, transforming the resource management from static to parameter-adaptive

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the terminal device uses multiple radio frequency chains for band switching, then the switching speed is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the radio frequency resources into multiple independent radio frequency chains, allowing parallel band switching operations. Each radio frequency chain can independently switch bands without affecting others, enabling simultaneous switching across multiple bands and significantly improving overall switching speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes each radio frequency chain multi-functional by enabling it to handle multiple band pairs. The same radio frequency chain can be configured to switch between different band combinations based on network requirements, reducing the total number of chains needed while maintaining high switching capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4694459A1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694459A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP4694459A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4694459A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and apparatus, and belongs to the field of communication technologies, to reduce a waste of uplink transmission resources. In the method, a terminal device may perform uplink switching from a first band and a second band to a third band and a fourth band in two switching manners: A first radio frequency chain switches from the first band to the third band, and a second radio frequency chain switches from the second band to the fourth band; or the first radio frequency chain switches from the first band to the fourth band, and the second radio frequency chain switches from the second band to the third band. The terminal device may skip uplink transmission in a target time interval, and a network device may not receive uplink transmission in a target time interval. The target time interval is a switching period corresponding to a switching manner that requires a shorter switching period in the two switching manners. In this way, time for skiping uplink transmission can be shortened, a waste of uplink transmission resources can be reduced, and uplink transmission performance can be improved.