Sidelink Beam Switching With Omnidirectional Feedback Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

In beam-based sidelink (SL) communication, directional transmission of feedback and control information results in unreliable and delayed delivery due to changing UE positions and resource wastage, especially in millimeter wave technology, where only UEs in the direction of the beam can receive feedback, and slots may not align for correct reception.

Innovation Solution

Periodically switching to omnidirectional communication mode in beam-based SL communication to transmit and receive feedback and control information, allowing timely and reliable delivery across multiple directions using low frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If beam-based directional transmission is used for feedback and control information, then transmission directionality is improved, but delivery reliability deteriorates due to changing UE positions and beam misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission directionalityVSAvoidfeedback delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic omnidirectional transmission at specific time intervals (e.g., every 10ms or at designated slots) to periodically update feedback and control information. This periodic omnidirectional broadcasting ensures that all UEs within range can receive the latest information regardless of their position changes or beam alignment status, thereby resolving the reliability issue while maintaining directional transmission for data traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between beam-based directional transmission for data traffic and omnidirectional transmission for feedback/control information based on traffic type and channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for directionality when needed while ensuring broad coverage for critical control signals, resolving the contradiction between directional efficiency and delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If beam-based directional transmission is used for feedback information, then transmission precision is improved, but delivery timeliness deteriorates due to slot misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission precisionVSAvoidfeedback delivery latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes periodic omnidirectional transmission opportunities at predetermined time slots where feedback and control information is broadcast in all directions. This ensures that receiving UEs can obtain information at these regular intervals without waiting for specific beam alignment conditions, significantly reducing delivery latency while maintaining transmission precision through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-arranges omnidirectional transmission slots in advance where feedback information will be broadcast regardless of current beam alignment status. This preliminary preparation of transmission opportunities ensures that UEs can receive feedback without delay caused by waiting for favorable beam conditions, thus reducing latency while maintaining precision through scheduled transmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If beam-based directional transmission is used, then communication efficiency is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates due to limited coverage area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic omnidirectional transmission for feedback and control information at specific time intervals, allowing directional beam-based transmission to handle data traffic efficiently during other periods. This time-division approach ensures that omnidirectional resources are used only when necessary for control purposes, optimizing overall resource utilization while maintaining communication efficiency for data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The omnidirectional transmission mechanism serves multiple functions: broadcasting feedback information, transmitting control signals, and providing system-wide announcements. By making this transmission mode multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated resources for each function, thereby improving overall resource utilization while maintaining communication efficiency through consolidated omnidirectional broadcasting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4686299A1Electronic apparatus for receiving end and sending end for sidelink communication, and method

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SONY GROUP CORP

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AI summary

The present invention provides an electronic apparatus for a receiving end device and a sending end device for sidelink communication, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium. The electronic apparatus for the receiving end device comprises: a processing circuit configured to: in beam-based communication executed by a sending end device for sidelink communication, periodically switch to an omnidirectional communication mode; and in a time period of using the omnidirectional communication mode, send feedback information and/or control information to the sending end device.