Sidelink Feedback Channel Slot Format for Mini-Slot Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing sidelink feedback channel resources, particularly in mini-slot channel access scenarios, where devices may experience increased latency and reduced communication efficiency due to asynchronous transmission timings and overlapping resource pools.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a sidelink feedback channel slot format that allows user equipment (UE) to receive an indication of sidelink slot format configurations, measure channel access signals, and transmit sidelink communications based on these measurements, optimizing transmission starting locations within sidelink slots or mini-slots to avoid sidelink feedback resources, thereby enhancing synchronization and communication performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices transmit sidelink communications asynchronously in mini-slot channel access, then transmission flexibility is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates due to overlapping resource pools and feedback channel conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different slot formats for different sidelink slots based on their specific requirements. Each slot can be independently configured as data-only, feedback-only, or combined format, allowing optimized resource allocation for each local context while maintaining overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through dynamic slot format configuration where the network can adjust the format of sidelink slots based on real-time traffic conditions, channel quality, and resource availability. This allows the system to adapt between synchronous and asynchronous operations dynamically
2Reliability
If sidelink feedback resources are allocated in every slot, then feedback reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple feedback opportunities and resource management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allocating sidelink feedback resources selectively in only certain slots rather than every slot. The network configures feedback resources based on actual data transmission needs, providing sufficient feedback opportunities without excessive resource allocation that would increase system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality through slot formats that can serve multiple purposes. A single slot format configuration can indicate whether the slot contains data, feedback, or both, allowing the same resource pool to be flexibly used for different functions depending on the configured format
3Loss of time
If mini-slot transmissions are permitted, then latency is reduced, but synchronization difficulty increases due to multiple starting locations within slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sidelink slot into multiple mini-slots with distinct starting locations. Each mini-slot can be independently configured and managed, allowing devices to select appropriate starting positions based on channel conditions while maintaining overall synchronization through network-configured formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple slot formats through network signaling before actual sidelink transmissions occur. Devices receive advance indication of which slot formats to expect, enabling them to prepare for transmissions at multiple potential starting locations without real-time synchronization conflicts
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive an indication of a sidelink slot format, wherein the sidelink slot format indicates a configuration of sidelink feedback resources. The UE may measure a signal, associated with a channel access procedure, after a first symbol of a first sidelink slot and prior to a mini-slot of the first sidelink slot, and wherein the sidelink slot format indicates that the first sidelink slot is associated with the sidelink feedback resources. The UE may transmit, using a transmission starting location of the mini-slot or of a symbol of a second sidelink slot, a sidelink communication based at least in part on the measurement of the signal, wherein a format of the sidelink feedback resources is based at least in part on the transmission starting location. Numerous other aspects are described.