Sidelink Reference Signal Management for Dynamic Resource Allocation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current sidelink communication technologies in wireless networks, such as LTE, are not optimized for specific recipients and lack mechanisms to consider radio channel characteristics, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and interference management, especially in scenarios requiring unicast mode transmissions.

Innovation Solution

A framework is introduced to support channel state information (CSI) reference signals (CSI-RS) for estimating the quality of the radio channel between user equipment (UEs), allowing for dynamic scheduling and resource allocation to enhance throughput, reliability, and spectral efficiency, while avoiding interference and hidden node issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sidelink radio transmissions are performed in broadcast mode without optimization for specific recipients, then the system is simpler to implement, but resource allocation efficiency and interference management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic scheduling mechanisms that adapt resource allocation based on channel conditions and transmission requirements. The system transitions from static broadcast mode to dynamic unicast mode with adaptive resource selection, allowing the network to optimize resource allocation efficiency while maintaining implementation feasibility through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including modulation and coding schemes, resource block allocations, and transmission power levels based on channel state information. These parameter adjustments enable optimized resource allocation for specific recipients while maintaining system-wide coordination through base station control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If sidelink radio transmissions lack mechanisms to consider radio channel characteristics, then the system architecture is simpler, but transmission reliability and throughput deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem architecture complexityVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where channel state information is reported from user equipment to the base station, which then adjusts scheduling decisions. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing channel conditions and improve transmission reliability without requiring complex distributed negotiation protocols between user equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The base station serves as an intermediary that collects channel state information, makes scheduling decisions, and allocates resources optimally. This centralized mediation simplifies the overall system architecture compared to distributed approaches while enabling reliable transmissions through informed resource allocation based on actual channel characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If dynamic scheduling and resource allocation are implemented for unicast mode, then throughput and spectral efficiency improve, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary actions by having the base station pre-allocate resources and provide scheduling decisions before actual transmissions occur. This advance planning enables high throughput unicast transmissions while reducing real-time coordination complexity, as resource conflicts are prevented before they arise through proactive scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If reference signals are transmitted without coordinated scheduling, then individual transmissions are simpler, but interference management and hidden node issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission operation simplicityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges reference signal transmissions into a coordinated framework where the base station schedules all reference signals to avoid conflicts. By combining individual simple transmissions into a unified scheduled system, the patent eliminates interference and hidden node issues while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3831135B1Reference signal management for sidelink radio transmission
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3831135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831135B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3831135B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A first radio device (20) may send SL control information (301) to a second radio device. The SL control information (301) indicates at least one radio resource for transmission of a reference signal (304) from the first radio device. The second radio device (30) receives the reference signal (304). Further, the second radio device (30) may forward the received sidelink control information to one or more other radio devices (40). Based on the received reference signal (304), the second radio device estimates quality of a radio channel between the first radio device (20) and the second radio device (30). The estimated quality of the radio channel, may be used to control an SL radio transmission (306) between the first radio device (20) and the second radio device (30).