Sidelink Feedback Resource Configuration for Unlicensed Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sidelink communication systems face challenges in configuring physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) resources, particularly in unlicensed frequency bands, due to uncertainty in channel access time and overlapping frequency resources, leading to inefficiencies and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves configuring multiple successive PSFCH candidates with non-overlapping resource block sets using an interlace-first indexing scheme, where bitmaps indicate dedicated resource blocks for each candidate, allowing flexible timing and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If PSFCH resources are spread over wider frequency resources to meet occupied bandwidth specifications, then frequency resource coverage is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency resource coverageVSAvoidconfiguration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the frequency resources into multiple interlaces, where each interlace contains a subset of the total frequency resources. This segmentation allows the system to meet occupied bandwidth specifications by distributing PSFCH resources across multiple interlaces while simplifying the configuration process through structured organization of frequency resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a two-dimensional resource allocation structure by combining interlace index (frequency dimension) with time offset (time dimension). This allows PSFCH resources to be uniquely identified by a pair of parameters (interlace index, time offset) rather than requiring complex frequency-only allocation, thereby simplifying configuration while achieving wide frequency coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple successive PSFCH candidates are configured with different frequency resources, then timing flexibility is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming flexibilityVSAvoidresource allocation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic selection of PSFCH candidates based on timing conditions. Multiple PSFCH candidates are configured with different time offsets and interlace indices, allowing the system to adaptively select the appropriate candidate based on when the UE gains access to unlicensed resources, thereby providing timing flexibility without requiring complex dynamic reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures multiple PSFCH candidates with predetermined time offsets and interlace index assignments. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to directly select an appropriate candidate based on its channel access timing without requiring complex real-time resource allocation decisions, reducing runtime complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If bitmap configurations are provided for each PSFCH candidate to indicate dedicated resource blocks, then resource allocation precision is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation precisionVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies bitmap configurations selectively to indicate dedicated resource blocks only where needed for each PSFCH candidate. Rather than providing full resource allocations for all candidates, the bitmaps precisely specify only the relevant frequency resources (specific interlaces and resource blocks) for each candidate, achieving high allocation precision while minimizing redundant signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250106871A1Sidelink feedback resource configuration and indication, and associated devices and methods

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods for configuring and indicating sidelink resources for shared or unlicensed frequency bands include configuring PSFCH resource sets using frequency interlaces of one or more PRBs. A first wireless communication device may transmit a plurality of sidelink PRB bitmaps, each associated with a PSFCH occasion or candidate. Each bit in the bitmap may indicate one PRB in the configured resource pool. The PSFCH resource sets may be partitioned by indexing the PRBs according to an interlace-first indexing sequence, and selecting contiguous subsets of indices to form the PSFCH resource sets.