Scheduling-Free Resource Indication for NTN Beam Coverage Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-terrestrial networks (NTN), scheduling-free transmission fails due to coverage holes caused by beam sweeping, leading to transmission failures and increased signaling overheads, as existing solutions are not flexible enough to adapt to the time-varying nature of NTN coverage.
Innovation Solution
A scheduling-free resource configuration method using indication sequences to determine available resources for transmission, reducing signaling overheads and improving flexibility by dynamically adjusting resources based on actual requirements and beam sweeping patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If scheduling-free resources are configured for NTN beams, then transmission delay is reduced, but transmission failures occur in coverage holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scheduling-free resource configuration adaptive to beam sweeping patterns. The network dynamically determines valid scheduling-free resources based on the current beam direction and sweeping schedule, allowing the system to transition from static resource allocation to dynamic, context-aware resource selection. This resolves the contradiction by enabling low-delay transmission only when the beam is actually covering the terminal's location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of resource validity from a fixed state to a time-varying state that depends on beam sweeping timing. By introducing time-domain parameters related to beam sweeping periods and valid resource windows, the system adjusts resource availability based on temporal conditions, allowing scheduling-free transmission to be enabled only during valid coverage periods.
2Reliability
If each beam is indicated with specific scheduling-free resource parameters, then transmission reliability is improved, but signaling overhead becomes extremely large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single, unified indication sequence that serves multiple beams and multiple terminals simultaneously. Instead of sending separate resource configuration signals for each beam, the network broadcasts one indication sequence that all terminals use to determine valid resources for their respective beams, achieving multi-functional resource management with minimal signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by having terminals derive their beam-specific valid resources through a copying process from the master indication sequence. Terminals copy the indication sequence and apply it according to their known beam parameters (beam index, sweeping timing), allowing each terminal to obtain beam-specific information without receiving separate signals for each beam.
3Ease of manufacture
If scheduling-free resources are fixed during RRC configuration, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to time-varying NTN coverage is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having terminals pre-configure the indication sequence reception mechanism during initial RRC setup, but deferring the actual resource determination to runtime. The terminal is preliminarily prepared to receive and process the indication sequence when needed, combining the simplicity of pre-configuration with the flexibility of dynamic resource selection based on current beam sweeping state.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a scheduling-free resource configuration method and a communication apparatus, and may be applied to a scenario of configuring a scheduling-free resource in a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network. In the method, a network device determines an indication sequence. The indication sequence indicates a scheduling-free resource (namely, a first scheduling-free resource) that is in scheduling-free resources of a terminal device and that can be used for scheduling-free transmission. The network device sends first information to the terminal device. The first information is used to determine the indication sequence. After determining the indication sequence based on the first information, the terminal device performs the scheduling-free transmission based on the first scheduling-free resource determined, based on the indication sequence, from the scheduling-free resources configured by the network side.