Sidelink Beam Pathloss Compensation for Accurate Transmit Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications systems using high-frequency frequencies, beamforming complicates communications due to directional beams, leading to incorrect pathloss estimation when using cellular beams for sidelink transmissions, which results in improper interference management and power control.

Innovation Solution

A transmitting UE estimates pathloss using sidelink beams and compensates for antenna gain differences between sidelink and cellular beams, reducing the need for repeated measurements and improving power control accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If cellular beams are used for pathloss estimation in sidelink transmissions, then measurements can be reused from cellular communications, but pathloss estimation becomes incorrect due to directional beam differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement timeVSAvoidpathloss estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing beam-specific pathloss estimation. Instead of using a general cellular beam pathloss for all sidelink transmissions, the system estimates pathloss specifically for each sidelink beam direction. This localized approach accounts for the directional characteristics of different beams, ensuring accurate pathloss estimation tailored to each specific beam's propagation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not reusing cellular beam measurements for sidelink pathloss estimation. Instead of assuming cellular beam pathloss applies to sidelink beams, the system performs dedicated pathloss estimation for sidelink beams by measuring reference signals transmitted in sidelink beam directions. This inversion resolves the accuracy issue by treating sidelink beam pathloss as a distinct measurement requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If sidelink beam pathloss estimation is performed separately from cellular beam measurements, then pathloss accuracy improves, but power control overhead and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepathloss estimation accuracyVSAvoidpower control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a pathloss estimation mechanism that serves multiple purposes. The same reference signal measurements used for sidelink pathloss estimation also provide information for beam management and link quality assessment. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve accurate pathloss estimation without proportionally increasing measurement overhead, as the measurements serve multiple communication functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing pathloss estimation for sidelink beams during initial beam establishment and configuration phases. By pre-establishing pathloss values for different sidelink beam directions before actual data transmission begins, the system avoids the need for continuous real-time measurements during active communication, thereby reducing ongoing power control complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If directional sidelink beams are used for D2D transmission, then communication reliability improves in high-frequency systems, but interference management becomes more difficult due to beam misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing a mechanism where receiving devices measure reference signals from transmitting devices using directional beams and report channel quality information back to the transmitting side. This feedback loop enables the system to monitor beam alignment status and link quality in real-time, allowing for dynamic adjustment of beam directions and power levels to maintain reliable communication while managing interference caused by beam misalignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3981202B1Apparatus and methods for sidelink power control in a wireless communications system
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3981202B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3981202B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3981202B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6A

AI summary

A method implemented by a first device includes estimating a first pathloss between the first device and a serving access node with respect to a sidelink beam between the first device and a second device, the sidelink beam being used by the first device to make a device-to-device (D2D) transmission to the second device, determining a sidelink transmit power for a sidelink transmission between the first device and the second device in accordance with the first pathloss, and transmitting, to the second device, the sidelink transmission in accordance with the sidelink transmit power.