Sidelink Resource Allocation for Low-Power Device-to-Device Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in optimizing device-to-device communication and managing power consumption efficiently, particularly in 5G New Radio networks, where devices often rely on base station scheduling without considering peer-to-peer communication.

Innovation Solution

Wireless communication devices are equipped with transceivers and processing circuits to transmit and receive sidelink transmissions, determine resources for subsequent transmissions based on previous communication resources, and monitor these resources for efficient power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices rely on base station scheduling for resource allocation, then network control and coordination are improved, but device autonomy and communication efficiency are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork controlVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables devices to autonomously allocate sidelink resources by determining resources for second sidelink transmissions based on resources used for first sidelink transmissions. This self-service mechanism allows devices to independently manage their communication resources without continuous base station intervention, thereby improving communication efficiency while maintaining network coordination through initial base station configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If devices continuously monitor multiple sidelink resources for potential transmissions, then communication responsiveness is improved, but power consumption is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having devices determine and pre-identify specific sidelink resources for monitoring based on previously used transmission resources. Instead of continuously monitoring all possible resources, devices proactively calculate which specific resources to monitor, enabling timely detection of second sidelink transmissions while significantly reducing power consumption compared to exhaustive monitoring approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If devices autonomously determine and monitor sidelink resources without base station scheduling, then device autonomy and power efficiency are improved, but network coordination and resource management are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidnetwork coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments resource management into two distinct phases: initial network-controlled configuration where the base station provides overall resource pool configuration and parameters, followed by autonomous device-level resource determination where devices independently select specific resources based on their communication needs. This segmentation allows devices to operate autonomously for day-to-day resource selection while the network maintains coordination through initial configuration and oversight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4079064B1Access control for facilitating device-to-device communications
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4079064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079064B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079064B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects relate to wireless communication devices configured to facilitate power conservation and sidelink communications. According to one example, a wireless communication device can transmit a first sidelink transmission, determine one or more sidelink resources for receiving a second sidelink transmission based at least in part on the resources used to transmit the first sidelink transmission, monitor the determined one or more sidelink resources, and receive via the transceiver the second sidelink transmission on the monitored one or more sidelink resources. According to another example, a wireless communication device can receive a first sidelink transmission, determine one or more sidelink resources for transmitting a second sidelink transmission based at least in part on the received first sidelink transmission, and transmit the second sidelink transmission on the one or more of the determined sidelink resources.