Sidelink Feedback Timing for Lower Latency and Resource Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved sidelink feedback timing mechanisms in wireless communication systems to reduce latency and conserve processing and signaling resources, particularly in scenarios involving multi-stage grants and relaying communications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where wireless communication devices transmit feedback messages after a determined time period following the receipt of sidelink communications, considering factors such as the type of feedback message, multi-stage grants, and relaying operations, to optimize timing and resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If feedback messages are transmitted immediately after receiving sidelink communications, then latency is reduced, but processing resources and signaling resources are consumed excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback latencyVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic feedback timing where the time period between receiving sidelink communication and transmitting feedback is adjusted based on communication type (unicast/groupcast), grant stage (first/second stage), and relay involvement. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between latency reduction and resource conservation by transmitting feedback only when necessary and at appropriate times, rather than immediately for all communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If feedback timing is optimized for different communication types, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidfeedback timing management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of feedback timing based on communication conditions. Specifically, it adjusts the time period for feedback transmission according to: (1) communication type (unicast vs. groupcast), (2) grant stage (first stage vs. second stage multi-stage grants), and (3) whether relay communication is involved. This parameter-based approach enables efficient communication across different scenarios while managing complexity through standardized adjustment rules rather than complex decision logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If feedback is transmitted for all sidelink communications, then reliability is improved, but signaling resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transmitting feedback messages only for specific sidelink communications rather than all communications. It selectively transmits feedback based on: (1) unicast communications where reliability is critical, (2) specific stages of multi-stage grants, and (3) communications where the receiving device is directly involved. This selective feedback approach maintains necessary reliability while avoiding wasteful signaling resource consumption for communications where feedback is not critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4128616B1Sidelink feedback timing
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4128616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4128616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4128616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless communication device may receive a sidelink communication on a sidelink. The sidelink communication may include at least one of a grant, data received on a resource identified by the grant, a multi-stage grant, a multi-packet grant, or a relaying communication. The wireless communication device may transmit, on the sidelink after a time period since receiving the sidelink communication, a feedback message acknowledging receiving the sidelink communication. Numerous other aspects are provided.