Sidelink Repeater Capability Signaling for URLLC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sidelink communication systems face challenges in efficiently configuring and utilizing relay devices or repeaters, leading to suboptimal performance due to obstructions and increased error rates, which degrade ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC).

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves mechanisms for indicating the sidelink repeating capabilities of wireless repeaters to other devices and configuring them based on these capabilities, allowing for optimal operation in sidelink communication scenarios. This includes transmitting a sidelink capability report and receiving a sidelink repeating configuration, which specifies operating parameters such as time and frequency resources, beam directions, and transmit power settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If repeater devices are deployed to extend sidelink communication coverage, then coverage area and connectivity are improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater device autonomously determines its repeating capabilities (amplify-and-forward, decode-and-forward, or regenerative mode) and reports them to the network. The configuration is automatically adjusted based on the reported capabilities, eliminating manual configuration requirements and reducing deployment complexity while maintaining extended coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts configuration parameters (such as resource allocation, power settings, and processing modes) based on the repeater's reported capabilities and channel conditions. This allows the coverage area to be optimized for different repeater types without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If repeater capability reporting mechanisms are implemented, then sidelink communication reliability is improved, but signaling overhead and communication latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesidelink communication reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater device determines and reports its repeating capabilities during the initial connection establishment or registration phase, before actual sidelink communication begins. This preliminary capability reporting ensures that the network has the necessary information to configure the repeater appropriately, improving reliability without adding latency during active communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capability reporting is merged with existing signaling procedures such as random access, connection setup, or registration protocols. By combining capability reporting with these mandatory signaling exchanges, the patent avoids additional separate signaling messages, thereby improving reliability through comprehensive capability information while minimizing additional latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If detailed capability reports are transmitted, then configuration accuracy and communication performance are improved, but message size and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidmessage size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The capability reporting is segmented into essential parameters (repeating mode support, processing capabilities) and optional parameters (advanced features). The network can request only the necessary subset of capability information based on the specific sidelink scenario, achieving sufficient configuration accuracy while minimizing message size and processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial capability reporting where only the most critical capability parameters are reported in all scenarios, while more detailed capability information is reported only when specifically requested or when the sidelink scenario requires it. This approach achieves adequate configuration accuracy for most cases while keeping message sizes manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12245255B2Sidelink repeater capability signaling

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device includes: initiating a registration protocol for performing repeater operations for sidelink communications; transmitting, to a second wireless communication device, a sidelink capability report indicating sidelink repeating capabilities of the first wireless communication device; receiving a sidelink repeating configuration based on the sidelink capability report; and communicating a first signal based on the sidelink repeating configuration.