Shared RF Path Signaling for LTE-NR Scheduling Conflicts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in efficiently managing shared radio frequency paths between different radio access technologies (RATs) due to overlapping control signaling, leading to inefficiencies and resource conflicts.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to share an RF path between different RATs, such as LTE and NR, allowing the UE to indicate a shared RF path to the network, enabling the network to schedule communications to avoid conflicts and optimize resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a UE shares an RF path between multiple RATs to reduce device complexity and cost, then the number of RF chains is reduced, but resource conflicts and scheduling inefficiencies occur due to overlapping control signaling

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF path configurationVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary actions by indicating its RF path sharing capability to the network before actual communication occurs. This allows the network to advance-plan schedules that avoid conflicts, ensuring that control signaling for different RATs does not overlap in time, thereby preventing resource conflicts before they can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic scheduling where the network adjusts resource allocation based on the UE's indicated RF path sharing characteristics. The scheduler dynamically coordinates control signaling transmissions across multiple RATs, adapting the timing and resources assigned to each RAT to prevent overlaps while maximizing utilization of the shared RF path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network schedules communication without knowing about shared RF paths, then scheduling flexibility is maintained, but resource conflicts occur between control signaling of different RATs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE provides feedback to the network by indicating its RF path sharing capability information. This feedback enables the network to adjust its scheduling decisions accordingly, ensuring that control signaling for different RATs is coordinated to avoid overlapping in time, thereby preventing resource conflicts while maintaining scheduling flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The RF path sharing capability indication acts as an intermediary information element that bridges the UE and network. This intermediate information allows the network to understand the UE's RF path configuration constraints and adjust scheduling accordingly, preventing conflicts between control signaling of different RATs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12598601B2Radio frequency shared path information

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) that shares a radio frequency (RF) path between wireless communication for a first radio access technology (RAT) on a first frequency band and a second RAT on a second frequency band transmits an indication, to a network of the first RAT or the second RAT, indicating a shared RF path between the first RAT and the second RAT. A base station receives the indication from the UE and wireless communication with the UE based on the shared RF path at the UE.