Sidelink Resource Indication via Interlace Mapping for Unlicensed 5G NR

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of effective resource indication methods for unlicensed bands in wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR systems, which are necessary to meet the Occupied Channel Bandwidth requirements and ensure fair resource usage among different radio access technologies.

Innovation Solution

A resource indication method that utilizes a numbering rule between sub-channels and interlaces, where the sidelink control information includes resource indication information to indicate resources occupied and/or reserved by a terminal, and the downlink control information provides resource indication to terminals, ensuring compliance with OCB requirements without altering the existing sidelink framework.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If unlicensed band is used to supplement licensed band for sidelink transmission, then service expansion capability is improved, but resource indication capability deteriorates due to lack of effective resource indication methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice expansion capabilityVSAvoidresource indication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource indication problem into two independent parts: (1) maintaining the existing simple SCI structure for backward compatibility, and (2) introducing a separate resource group configuration mechanism for unlicensed band resource indication. This segmentation allows the system to expand services on unlicensed bands without overwhelming complexity in the resource indication layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces 'resource group' as an intermediary concept between the physical resources and the control information. Resource groups act as mediators that map multiple physical resources (sub-channels, interlaces) to a manageable unit, simplifying the resource indication process while enabling comprehensive resource utilization on unlicensed bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If existing sidelink framework is maintained for compatibility, then system compatibility is improved, but adaptability to unlicensed band requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidadaptability to unlicensed band requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the resource group configuration mechanism universal by designing it to work with both licensed and unlicensed bands. The same SCI structure and resource group framework can be used across different band types, allowing the system to maintain compatibility while adapting to unlicensed band specific requirements like OCB and LBT.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration of resource groups through higher layer signaling (RRC, MAC CE) that can be adjusted based on the operating band. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt to unlicensed band requirements (OCB, LBT) while maintaining a stable and compatible control information structure for existing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If resource indication information is added to SCI, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but information overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidinformation overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by only adding resource indication information for unlicensed band operations, while maintaining the original SCI structure for licensed band operations. This selective enhancement improves resource utilization efficiency where needed without unnecessarily increasing overhead for all operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by configuring resource groups and their mappings before actual resource allocation. The resource group configuration is established in advance through higher layer signaling, so that when resource indication is needed in SCI, the mapping relationship is already in place, reducing the information overhead required in the control signal itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250227727A1Resource indication method, terminal, and network-side device

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

This application discloses a resource indication method, a terminal, and a network-side device, pertaining to the communications field. The resource indication method of embodiments of this application includes: sending, by a first terminal, sidelink control information according to a numbering rule of sub-channels and/or resource groups, where the numbering rule of sub-channels and/or resource groups includes a mapping rule between sub-channels and interlaces, the sidelink control information includes resource indication information, and the resource indication information is used to indicate resources occupied and/or reserved by the first terminal.