NOMA Sequence Selection for Low Cross-Correlation Uplink Scrambling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) signature sequence designs do not guarantee evenly distributed cross correlation, leading to higher interference between data streams in lightly loaded systems, particularly affecting UEs that select sequences with much worse cross correlation.

Innovation Solution

Techniques for selecting sequences with improved cross correlation by optimizing the pre-configured sequence set, ensuring lower cross correlation between sequences used in the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing NOMA signature sequence designs are used, then the system supports multiple users, but cross correlation between sequences is not evenly distributed leading to higher interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterference between data streams
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the parameters of the pre-configured sequence set by optimizing the selection and configuration of sequences to achieve more uniform cross-correlation distribution. This involves changing the mathematical parameters and structural properties of the sequences to minimize interference while maintaining system capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary optimization to the sequence set configuration before actual NOMA operations. By pre-configuring sequences with improved cross-correlation properties and providing indicators to UEs, the system proactively eliminates interference issues before they occur during data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If sequence sets are optimized for fixed size, then design simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying system load is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequence design simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to system load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the sequence selection process by providing UEs with indicators about the number of sequences to select based on current system load conditions. This allows the system to transition from static fixed-size sequence sets to dynamic adaptive sequence selection, where UEs can adjust their sequence choices according to real-time network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the sequence selection process into multiple stages: pre-configuring a comprehensive sequence set, then allowing UEs to select appropriate subsets based on system load indicators. This segmentation enables both the simplicity of pre-configured designs and the flexibility of adaptive selection by dividing the overall sequence management into configuration and selection phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3766296B1Sequence selection techniques for non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA)
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3766296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3766296B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3766296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Sequence selection techniques for Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) are provided. A User Equipment (UE) sends a request to a base station, the request indicating that the UE is to conduct at least one uplink transmission. The UE receives, in response to the request, an indicator of an expected system load, a value of the indicator including a total number of sequences expected to be used at one time for uplink transmissions in the system. The UE detects that at least two different pairs of sequences in a configured set of sequences have different cross correlation values, the sequences in the set configured for scrambling uplink transmissions. The UE selects, in response to the detecting and based on the indicator, at least one sequence with an improved cross correlation with at least one other sequence the at least one sequence and the at least one other sequence to be used for scrambling uplink transmissions within the system.