Network-Guided Sidelink Beam Selection for Interference Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sidelink communication techniques lack the ability for network nodes to effectively control sidelink beam selection, leading to potential interference with access link communications due to imprecise beam indications, especially in one-to-many transmissions where receiving UEs are in different relative positions.

Innovation Solution

A network node provides a sidelink grant that indicates both a sidelink resource and a set of sidelink beams, allowing the transmitting UE to select an appropriate beam for communication, thereby mitigating interference by limiting the transmission to specific beam directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the network node provides only a rough estimate of beam directions for sidelink communication, then the transmitting UE has flexibility in beam selection, but interference with access link communications cannot be effectively mitigated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam selection flexibilityVSAvoidinterference with access link communications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network node segments the beam selection control into two parts: it provides a rough estimate of suitable beam directions (first part) and the transmitting UE independently selects the final beam from this set (second part). This segmentation allows both network control and UE flexibility to coexist, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and interference mitigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network node provides localized beam direction estimates specific to each transmitting UE's situation, rather than a single global beam indication. This local quality approach allows the beam selection to be tailored to specific interference conditions while maintaining overall network control, enabling both flexibility and interference mitigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the network node provides an exact beam indication for sidelink communication, then interference with access link communications can be controlled, but the indication may be inappropriate for one-to-many transmissions where receiving UEs are in different positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference controlVSAvoidcompatibility with one-to-many transmissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static exact beam indication to a dynamic beam selection process. The network node dynamically provides a set of candidate beams based on current interference conditions, and the transmitting UE dynamically selects the most appropriate beam from this set based on the actual positions of receiving UEs. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different transmission scenarios (one-to-one, one-to-many) while maintaining interference control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The network node performs preliminary action by providing a pre-calculated set of suitable beam directions before the actual sidelink transmission occurs. This preliminary set of beam estimates is prepared based on available network information about interference conditions, allowing the transmitting UE to make an informed final selection that is appropriate for the specific transmission scenario, whether one-to-one or one-to-many.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the transmitting UE independently selects sidelink beams without network indication, then the system is simpler to operate, but the network node cannot control beam selection to mitigate interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidinterference with access link communications

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network node acts as an intermediary that provides beam direction estimates to guide the transmitting UE's beam selection. Rather than the UE making completely independent selections or the network directly commanding exact beams, the network node mediates the process by providing informative estimates that steer the UE toward interference-mitigating beam choices. This intermediary approach maintains operational simplicity while enabling interference control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12457585B2Network indication to control sidelink beam selection

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a transmitting user equipment (UE) may receive, from a network node, a sidelink grant that indicates a sidelink resource and indicates a set of sidelink beams associated with a sidelink communication using the sidelink resource. The UE may select, based at least in part on the set of sidelink beams indicated in the sidelink grant, a sidelink beam for the sidelink communication. The UE may transmit, via the selected sidelink beam, the sidelink communication to one or more receiving UEs using the sidelink resource indicated in the sidelink grant. Numerous other aspects are provided.