Cellular Sidelink Resource Pools With Non-Contiguous Frequencies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in vehicular applications like V2X systems, face challenges in efficiently managing diverse device complexities, traffic patterns, and resource allocation for device-to-device communications, with a need for improved support for flexible resource configurations.

Innovation Solution

A baseband processor and method for cellular sidelink communication that allows for flexible resource configuration, including non-contiguous frequency and time resources, enabling efficient spectrum usage and increased frequency diversity through super resource units and non-contiguous control channel allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional contiguous resource allocation is used for sidelink communication, then resource management is simple, but spectrum usage efficiency is low and frequency diversity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum usage efficiencyVSAvoidresource configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sidelink resource pool into multiple non-contiguous frequency sub-channels and time slots, allowing independent allocation and configuration of each segment. This enables efficient spectrum usage by selecting specific frequency segments that are available and suitable for communication, while maintaining manageable complexity through structured segmentation of resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces super resource units that aggregate resources across multiple dimensions (frequency sub-channels and time slots), transforming the resource allocation from a single-dimension contiguous block to a multi-dimensional non-contiguous structure. This enables frequency diversity by spreading resources across different frequency segments while maintaining organized management through the super resource unit framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If non-contiguous frequency resources are allocated for sidelink communication, then frequency diversity is increased, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the frequency spectrum into multiple sub-channels and allows selection of non-contiguous segments for sidelink communication. Each sub-channel can be independently configured and managed, enabling frequency diversity by selecting segments with better channel conditions while keeping allocation complexity manageable through standardized segmentation rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal resource pool structure where the same non-contiguous resource allocation mechanism can serve multiple purposes: unicast, groupcast, and broadcast communications. The super resource units provide a multi-functional framework that handles different communication types using the same non-contiguous resource structure, reducing overall system complexity.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If super resource units aggregating multiple frequency sub-channels are used, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple frequency sub-channels and time slots into super resource units, creating aggregated resource blocks that can be allocated as unified entities. This provides flexibility by allowing the system to allocate varying numbers of sub-channels and time slots based on traffic requirements, while the standardized merging process into super resource units keeps configuration complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic configuration of super resource units where the number of aggregated sub-channels and time slots can be adjusted based on channel conditions and traffic demands. The resource pool can be reconfigured to create different super resource unit sizes and structures, providing adaptability while maintaining organized management through the super resource unit abstraction layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4165928B1Cellular sidelink communication using flexible sidelink resource configuration
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 APPLE INC
  • EP4165928B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4165928B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4165928B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments are presented herein of processors, systems, and methods for performing cellular sidelink communication with flexible resource configuration in a wireless communication system. A first wireless device may receive cellular sidelink resource pool configuration information. The cellular sidelink resource pool configuration information may configure a cellular sidelink resource pool that includes non-contiguous frequency resources. The first wireless device may perform cellular sidelink communication with a second wireless device using the cellular sidelink resource pool that includes non-contiguous frequency resources.