Radar-Enabled UE Beam Direction Classification for UL Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar-enabled user equipment (UEs) operating in millimeter wave (mmW) frequency ranges face significant interference with wireless communication network uplink (UL) reception, due to shared or overlapping frequency usage for radar probing and communication.

Innovation Solution

A radar-enabled wireless communication device classifies radar beam directions as restricted or unrestricted based on potential interference with UL reception, and adapts its radar transmissions by muting or reducing power in restricted beam directions, using autonomous or network-supported procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radar-enabled UEs transmit radar signals in mmW frequency ranges for environmental sensing, then sensing capability is improved, but interference with UL reception operations in the wireless communication network increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sensing capabilityVSAvoidinterference with UL reception
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the radar beam directions into restricted and unrestricted categories based on interference potential. The device performs autonomous classification of each radar beam direction, identifying which directions may interfere with UL reception at network nodes. This segmentation allows selective application of interference mitigation only where needed, preserving radar sensing performance in unrestricted directions while protecting communication operations in restricted directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by treating different radar beam directions differently based on their specific interference characteristics. Instead of uniformly restricting all radar transmissions, the device adapts its radar signal transmission power locally for each beam direction. Restricted beam directions receive power reduction or muting, while unrestricted directions maintain full power, optimizing both sensing performance and interference mitigation on a per-direction basis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If radar signal transmission power is reduced or muted in restricted beam directions, then interference with UL reception is mitigated, but radar sensing performance in those directions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with UL receptionVSAvoidradar sensing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the radar transmission power adaptive rather than static. The device dynamically adjusts transmission power based on real-time classification of beam directions as restricted or unrestricted. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between interference mitigation and sensing performance, applying power reduction only when and where interference risk is identified, rather than applying uniform restrictions that would degrade overall sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If autonomous classification of radar beam directions is performed without network support, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of interference mitigation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operation capabilityVSAvoidinterference mitigation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the radar-enabled UE to autonomously perform classification of its own radar beam directions without requiring external network control. The device independently evaluates potential interference with UL reception operations and classifies beam directions as restricted or unrestricted based on its own measurements and calculations. This self-service approach reduces dependency on network infrastructure and simplifies deployment while maintaining reliable interference mitigation through the device's own sensing and analysis capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4179351B1Co-existence operations involving a radar-enabled user equipment and other user equipments
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4179351B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4179351B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4179351B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radar-enabled wireless communication device (12) is configured for exchanging communication signals with a wireless communication network (10) and for performing radar transmissions for surrounding-environment sensing. The device (12) classifies radar beam directions (30) as restricted or unrestricted, based on known or estimated interference with Uplink (UL) reception operations of the network (10) and adapts its radar transmissions based on the classifications. Classification operations may be autonomous, without requiring explicit network support, or may be based on one or radio network nodes (22) of the network (10) performing supporting procedures. Updating the classifications depends on, for example, one or more triggering conditions, such as changes in the position or orientation of the device (12), transmit-frequency changes, and changes in ambient conditions, such as the presence or intensity of rain.