Sidelink Beam Alignment Using Inter-UE Coordination Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beamforming in sidelink communication between vehicles is challenging due to the movement and similar elevations of vehicles, making existing procedures for beamforming between a base station and a UE inapplicable, and the exhaustive search for the best beam pair is slow and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method for sidelink communication involving a first UE receiving an inter-UE coordination signal, determining candidate radio resources and directions based on angle-of-arrival, selecting beams, and transmitting preferred resources to a second UE, utilizing direction-of-arrival estimation and channel sensing to optimize beam alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exhaustive search for the best beam pair is performed, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but communication speed and resource efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using angle-of-arrival estimation to predict the optimal beam direction before actual beam alignment. The receiving UE estimates the AoA of the incoming signal and provides this information to the transmitting UE, which then directly configures its transmit beam according to the estimated angle, skipping the exhaustive search process entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical exhaustive beam search process with an electromagnetic field-based angle-of-arrival estimation system. Instead of physically testing each beam direction, the system uses signal processing techniques to estimate the arrival angle and calculate the corresponding optimal beam direction, significantly reducing the time and resources required.
2Measurement precision
If exhaustive beam search is performed, then beam alignment precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving UE performs angle-of-arrival estimation as a preliminary action that provides the transmitting UE with the necessary directional information. This eliminates the need for the transmitting UE to perform energy-intensive exhaustive beam searching, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving UE serves itself by estimating the angle of arrival and then provides this information to the transmitting UE. This self-service approach allows the system to obtain accurate directional information without requiring the transmitting UE to perform additional measurements or searches, reducing redundant energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If exhaustive beam search is performed, then beam alignment accuracy is improved, but procedure overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential directional information (angle of arrival) from the received signal and separates it from the exhaustive beam search process. By taking out only the necessary angular information and using it to directly determine beam configuration, the system eliminates the complex overhead associated with testing multiple beam pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical beam search procedure with a simpler signal processing-based angle estimation system. This replacement reduces procedure overhead by using mathematical calculations based on received signal characteristics rather than iterative physical beam testing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates fast and efficient beam alignment with reduced overhead, improving communication range and data rates in sidelink communication.
Implementation Method 1
determining, by the first UE, at least one direction associated with the received IUC signal based on an estimated angle-of-arrival of the received IUC signal
Implementation Method 2
beamforming with narrow beams or directional antennas is an effective way to provide sufficient communication range between two vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: receiving, by a first UE in a sidelink communication, an inter-UE coordination (IUC) signal transmitted from a second UE; determining a set of candidate radio resources for communication with the second UE based on the IUC signal; determining at least one direction associated with the IUC signal based on an estimated angle-of-arrival of the IUC signal; selecting, among a plurality of beams, at least one beam for communication with the second UE based on at least one of the determined at least one direction or a content of the IUC signal; determining a subset of radio resources from the set of candidate radio resources based on sensing on the selected at least one beam; and transmitting the determined subset of radio resources to the second UE, or selecting from the determined subset of radio resources, one or more radio resources for communication with the second UE.