Sidelink Data Transmission for URLLC Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC) scenarios, especially in Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, the lack of additional downlink slots limits the ability to transmit downlink URLLC data multiple times, thereby reducing the probability of correct data reception by terminal devices.

Innovation Solution

An access network device sends control information to a terminal device to transmit downlink data multiple times through sidelink, using coordinated transmission instructions and resource information, allowing the data to be transmitted using new or cancelled uplink resources, independent of the access network's uplink and downlink configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network side device sends downlink URLLC data at the last downlink position of the uplink and downlink configuration, then the uplink and downlink configuration is maintained, but the probability of correctly receiving the URLLC data cannot be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprobability of correctly receiving URLLC dataVSAvoidflexibility in transmitting downlink data multiple times
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a first terminal device as an intermediary to transmit downlink data to a second terminal device through sidelink. This mediator enables multiple transmissions without requiring additional downlink slots from the access network device, thus improving reception probability while maintaining the existing uplink-downlink configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional downlink transmission (access network device to terminal device) to sidelink transmission (terminal device to terminal device). This dimensional change allows multiple transmissions to occur in the time domain without affecting the configured downlink slots, thereby increasing data reception reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the access network device uses traditional downlink slots for URLLC transmission, then the uplink and downlink configuration is maintained, but additional downlink slots are not available for multiple transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtime for additional transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The access network device preliminarily configures the first terminal device with control information before the actual transmission. This includes configuring resource information for both the first terminal device (receiving from access network) and second terminal device (receiving from first terminal device), enabling efficient multi-transmission without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically allocates resources by using cancelled uplink scheduling resources or new uplink resources for sidelink transmission. This dynamic resource allocation allows the system to adapt to different transmission scenarios and maintain high productivity while utilizing available time efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the access network device cancels uplink scheduling resources for sidelink transmission, then resource flexibility is improved, but uplink transmission capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoiduplink transmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent discards (cancels) existing uplink scheduling resources that are no longer needed and recovers them for sidelink transmission purposes. This is done by identifying cancelled uplink scheduling resources and reallocating them to the first terminal device for transmitting downlink data to the second terminal device through sidelink.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the usage parameter of uplink resources from traditional uplink communication to sidelink communication. By altering the functional parameter of these resources, the system can flexibly allocate them for different purposes (sidelink transmission) without permanently reducing uplink capacity, as the cancelled resources are specifically reclaimed for this new function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3629652B1Data transmission method, access network device and terminal device
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3629652B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3629652B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3629652B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a data transmission method, an access network device, and a terminal device. The method includes: sending, by an access network device, first control information to a first terminal device, where the first control information is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit downlink data received from the access network device, to a second terminal device a plurality of times through a sidelink; and sending, by the access network device, the downlink data to the first terminal device. The method in this application increases a probability of correctly receiving the downlink data by the second terminal device, and is not limited to being affected by an uplink and downlink configuration of the access network device.