Sidelink RAT Coexistence Using SCI-Based Resource Avoidance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in enabling co-channel coexistence of multiple sidelink radio access technologies (RATs), particularly when newer sidelink RATs cannot be upgraded and share overlapping frequency bands with legacy RATs, leading to resource conflicts.

Innovation Solution

Enhanced NR sidelink procedures are implemented to detect and avoid wireless resources used by legacy RATs, allowing coexistence by determining and scheduling transmissions to avoid resource conflicts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple sidelink RATs share overlapping frequency bands, then frequency spectrum utilization is improved, but resource conflicts and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency spectrum utilizationVSAvoidresource conflict

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having wireless devices perform sensing operations before transmitting sidelink signals. The device senses for existing transmissions from other RATs in the overlapping frequency band and uses this information to select appropriate resources for its own transmission, thereby avoiding resource conflicts proactively rather than reactively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where wireless devices transmit sidelink control information (SCI) that includes resource indication information. This feedback loop allows other devices to detect and avoid resources already in use, enabling dynamic adaptation to the current spectral environment and resolving conflicts through iterative sensing and selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If newer sidelink RATs operate in overlapping frequency bands with legacy RATs, then spectral efficiency is improved, but co-channel interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidco-channel interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having wireless devices perform sensing operations before transmitting sidelink signals. The device senses for existing transmissions from other RATs in the overlapping frequency band and uses this information to select appropriate resources for its own transmission, thereby avoiding resource conflicts proactively rather than reactively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sidelink control information (SCI) as an intermediary mechanism that carries resource indication information. This SCI acts as a mediator between different RATs, allowing devices to share resource usage information and coordinate their transmissions to minimize co-channel interference while maintaining spectral efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If wireless devices perform comprehensive resource sensing, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidsensing processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by requiring wireless devices to perform sensing only for a limited duration (first duration) rather than continuous sensing. The device senses during this initial period to identify available resources, then uses this information for resource selection without maintaining continuous sensing operations, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining adequate accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having wireless devices perform sensing operations before transmitting sidelink signals. The device senses for existing transmissions from other RATs in the overlapping frequency band and uses this information to select appropriate resources for its own transmission, thereby avoiding resource conflicts proactively rather than reactively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250374306A1Co-Channel Coexistence of Multiple Sidelink Radio Access Technologies

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

Techniques for co-channel coexistence of multiple sidelink radio access technologies. The technique including receiving, by a first wireless device, sidelink control information (SCI) of a first sidelink transmission from a second wireless device over a first radio access technology (RAT), the SCI indicating a set of resources used by the first RAT; determining, based on the received sidelink transmission, a set of candidate resources for a second RAT from a sidelink resources pool for the second RAT, the second RAT different from the first RAT; and transmitting a second sidelink transmission to a third wireless device using a candidate resource selected from the set of candidate resources for the second RAT.