OFDM Sensing Signal Scheduling for Integrated Uplink-Downlink Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in achieving efficient coexistence of communication and sensing signals due to the need for additional modules to process sensing signals, which increases hardware requirements and disrupts communication services.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the transmission and reception of sensing signals using at least two orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, where the first symbols are used for downlink or switching between downlink and uplink transmissions, and the second symbol is used for uplink reception, without adding dedicated processing modules, utilizing switching gaps for efficient coexistence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If modules for processing sensing signals are added to the communication system, then sensing signal transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing signal transmission capabilityVSAvoidhardware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling communication signals to serve dual purposes: both communication and sensing functions. The sensing signals are transmitted using existing communication signal structures (OFDM symbols) without requiring dedicated sensing hardware modules, thus achieving sensing capability while maintaining communication functionality

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges sensing and communication functions into a unified signal transmission framework. By integrating sensing signal transmission within the existing communication signal structure and utilizing the same transmission channels and processing modules, the system achieves both functions without separate hardware paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated sensing modules are added to transmitter and receiver, then sensing signal processing capability is improved, but ease of operation and service continuity deteriorate due to increased switching times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing signal processing capabilityVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The existing communication transmission and reception modules are made multi-functional by enabling them to process both communication and sensing signals through the same hardware path, eliminating the need for separate sensing module switching and maintaining service continuity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines sensing and communication signal processing into a unified workflow where the same transmission and reception modules handle both types of signals sequentially without requiring additional switching operations, thus maintaining ease of operation and service continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If communication signals and sensing signals coexist in the same system, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but signal interference and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the OFDM signal structure to allocate specific symbols for sensing purposes while maintaining communication symbols. By dividing the signal sequence into distinct functional segments (communication symbols and sensing symbols), the system manages both signal types without excessive interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the signal structure are assigned different qualities/functions: certain OFDM symbols are optimized for communication while others are designated for sensing. This local differentiation allows each segment to be processed appropriately without requiring complex full-signal processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4701298A1Sensing signal transmission method, electronic device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP4701298A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4701298A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4701298A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are a sensing signal transmission method, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The transmission method comprises: transmitting a sequence of sensing signals by means of at least two first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in a signal sequence, wherein the at least two first OFDM symbols are prior to a second OFDM symbol in the signal sequence, there is no second OFDM symbol between the at least two first OFDM symbols, the first OFDM symbols are used for performing downlink sending or performing switching between downlink transmission and uplink transmission, and the second OFDM symbol is used for performing uplink reception.