Network Node Side-Link Interference Coordination via Beam Sweep Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Device-to-Device (D2D) communication systems, particularly in Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications, face challenges in beam management for Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) standards, leading to interference issues that affect base stations and other User Equipments (UEs) due to the inability to effectively coordinate side-link beam settings.

Innovation Solution

A method for interference coordination in side-link communication between UEs, where a network node sends information for side-link beam sweeps, monitors interference with bystander nodes, and adjusts resource allocation based on interference levels to minimize interference, allowing UEs to autonomously set up side-link communications while considering the impact on other network nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beam sweeping is performed for side-link communication to establish beam pairs, then communication quality between UEs is improved, but interference to base stations and other UEs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidinterference to base stations and other UEs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network node performs preliminary actions by informing bystander nodes about upcoming beam sweeping activities before they occur. This advance notification allows bystander nodes to prepare for potential interference, enabling them to adjust their operations or allocate resources differently to mitigate the impact of the beam sweeping process on side-link communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where bystander nodes report experienced interference levels back to the network node. The network node then uses this feedback information to adjust resource allocation and beam sweeping parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously optimizes the balance between side-link communication quality and interference to other nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If resource allocation is optimized for side-link communication, then interference to other nodes is reduced, but complexity of coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference to other nodesVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node serves as an intermediary that coordinates between side-link UEs and bystander nodes. It manages the beam sweeping process, allocates resources, and handles interference coordination, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity by centralizing control functions rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination among all nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the network into different functional groups: side-link UEs performing beam sweeping, bystander nodes experiencing potential interference, and the network node coordinating resource allocation. This segmentation allows for specialized handling of each group's requirements and simplifies the coordination mechanism by defining clear roles and responsibilities for each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If beam pairs are selected autonomously by UEs, then setup time for side-link communication is reduced, but interference coordination capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup timeVSAvoidinterference coordination capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node performs preliminary resource allocation and provides beam sweeping parameters to UEs before autonomous beam pair selection begins. This preliminary configuration enables UEs to quickly establish beam pairs autonomously while ensuring that the initial resource allocation already accounts for potential interference scenarios, thus maintaining coordination capability without sacrificing setup speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

After autonomous beam pair selection, UEs provide feedback to the network node about selected beam pairs and experienced interference levels. The network node uses this feedback to refine future resource allocations and coordinate interference management, creating a continuous improvement loop that maintains coordination capability while preserving the benefits of autonomous rapid setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4062546B1Methods for interference coordination of a side-link and related network node, wireless nodes and user equipment
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4062546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4062546B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4062546B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a method, performed by a network node, for interference coordination for side-link communication between a first and a second User Equipment, UE. The method comprises sending, to the first and second UE, information allowing the first and the second UE to perform a side-link beam sweep for establishing a side-link beam pair in a set of resources. The method comprises sending, to other wireless nodes in the network, wherein other wireless nodes are bystanders to the side-link communication, information indicating that a potentially interfering transmission is to occur in the set of resources allowed for the side-link beam sweep of the first and the second UE. The method comprises receiving, from the first and/or the second UE, beam pair information indicative of one or more beam pairs intended for side-link communication between the first and the second UE.