RF Sensing Slot Configuration for 5G Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 5G, face challenges in efficiently managing radio frequency (RF) sensing slots to balance communication and sensing operations, leading to potential interference and suboptimal performance in environment sensing and positioning tasks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method where base stations determine and configure RF sensing slots, sending this configuration to other telecommunications devices, allowing for dedicated slots or mini-slots within communication frames for RF sensing, enabling coordinated RF sensing operations while minimizing interference with communication slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated RF sensing slots are allocated, then sensing accuracy is improved, but communication resources are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication frame into distinct slots, with specific slots dedicated to RF sensing operations and others for communication. This segmentation allows the system to allocate dedicated time resources for sensing without permanently sacrificing communication capacity, as different slots serve different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic configuration of slot formats where sensing slots can be adaptively adjusted based on current sensing requirements. The gNB can modify the number, position, and duration of sensing slots within the frame structure, allowing the system to optimize the balance between sensing accuracy and communication resource availability according to real-time needs.
2Productivity
If RF sensing operations are performed in communication slots, then resource utilization is improved, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame structure into separate communication slots and sensing slots, preventing simultaneous operations that would cause interference. By dedicating specific slots to sensing and others to communication, the system achieves high resource utilization without the harmful interference that would result from concurrent operations in the same time resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic sensing slots within the frame structure, where sensing operations occur at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach allows communication to proceed normally in non-sensing slots while still achieving effective sensing coverage, thereby maintaining high resource utilization without generating continuous interference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensing slots are configured dynamically, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal slot configuration mechanism where the same frame structure and slot formatting principles apply to both communication and sensing operations. The gNB uses standardized RRC signaling and physical layer procedures to configure sensing slots, leveraging existing multi-functional infrastructure rather than creating separate dedicated systems, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for wireless communication and positioning. In an aspect, a base station (BS) may determine a slot configuration that defines at least a portion of one or more slots configured for RF sensing. The BS may send the slot configuration to at least one other telecommunications device, e.g., to another BS if the RF sensing is bistatic radar. The BS may then perform RF sensing according to the slot configuration. In another aspect, a user equipment (UE) may receive a slot configuration that defines at least a portion of one or more slots configured for RF sensing. The UE may operate according to the slot configuration, e.g., the UE may go to low power or sleep mode while the base station is performing RF sensing, and may optionally wake up to receive downlink signals or to transmit uplink signals.