NR Sidelink Transmission Gaps for Dynamic Discovery Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face interference issues on downlink and uplink transmissions due to neighbor base stations and other wireless RF transmitters, which degrade performance, and current sidelink gap procedures in LTE are limited to periodic gaps, not addressing dynamic discovery needs in NR systems.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of periodic and aperiodic sidelink gaps, configured through sidelink configuration messages, RRC reconfiguration, and MAC-CE messaging, allowing UEs to request and utilize gaps for improved discovery performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic gaps are used for sidelink discovery, then discovery performance is improved, but the system cannot address dynamic discovery needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aperiodic sidelink gaps that can be dynamically activated and deactivated based on discovery needs. The network can configure multiple gap patterns and activate specific patterns when discovery traffic is detected, allowing the system to transition from static periodic gaps to dynamic gap configurations that adapt to varying discovery requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains periodic gap configurations for regular sidelink operations while adding aperiodic gap patterns specifically for discovery. This allows the system to use periodic gaps for routine communications and switch to aperiodic gaps when discovery activities are needed, combining the reliability of periodic scheduling with the flexibility of on-demand gap activation.
2Reliability
If sidelink gaps are implemented, then discovery performance is improved, but network complexity increases due to multiple gap types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a unified gap configuration framework where a single RRC message can configure multiple gap patterns (both periodic and aperiodic). The network manages all gap types through consistent signaling procedures, and the UE handles both periodic and aperiodic gaps using the same capability indication and activation mechanisms, reducing the perceived complexity despite supporting multiple gap types.
Solution Approach 2:
The network pre-configures multiple gap patterns including both periodic and aperiodic options before discovery activities begin. When discovery traffic is detected, the network simply activates the appropriate pre-configured aperiodic pattern rather than creating new configurations, reducing the operational complexity of managing multiple gap types.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques described provide for a wireless network to establish and implement periodic and aperiodic sidelink gaps. One implementation may include transmitting, by a first user equipment (UE), a sidelink configuration message. The sidelink configuration message may indicate a capability of the first UE to support a sidelink periodic gap and a sidelink aperiodic gap. A message may be received by the first UE indicating whether the first UE is allowed to request a gap according to one or more of the indicated capabilities. The first UE may transmit a sidelink information message comprising an absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN) and an associated gap list. An RRC reconfiguration message may also be received by the first UE having and updated gap list. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.