Sidelink Resource Scheduling for Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional sidelink communication, the base station cannot directly monitor the status of sidelink transmissions, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and increased latency, as it relies on feedback from user equipment for retransmissions, which can result in suboptimal resource utilization and reduced spectrum efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for dynamic sidelink resource scheduling that allows for efficient configuration of sidelink resources for retransmissions, enabling the user equipment to autonomously manage sidelink retransmissions based on feedback, reducing latency and conserving wireless spectrum resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the base station relies on feedback from user equipment for retransmissions in sidelink communication, then the device complexity of the base station is reduced, but the latency increases and spectrum efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station complexityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The user equipment is empowered to autonomously manage sidelink retransmissions by detecting transmission status and allocating retransmission resources without base station intervention. The UE monitors feedback from destination UEs and independently determines when retransmissions are needed, making the system self-organizing and eliminating base station feedback loops that cause latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The base station pre-configures multiple sidelink resources including retransmission resources in advance before actual communication occurs. These pre-configured resources are reserved and can be immediately activated when retransmission is needed, eliminating the need for real-time base station scheduling decisions and reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the base station relies on feedback from user equipment for retransmissions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spectrum efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station complexityVSAvoidspectrum efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

User equipment autonomously monitors transmission success through feedback from destination UEs and independently activates pre-configured retransmission resources only when necessary. This self-service mechanism eliminates wasteful spectrum usage by avoiding unnecessary base station feedback transmissions and enabling precise, demand-driven retransmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple retransmission resources are pre-configured and reserved in advance with specific time-frequency allocations. These resources remain dormant until actually needed, preventing spectrum waste from real-time allocation signaling and ensuring immediate activation only when retransmission is genuinely required, thereby optimizing spectrum efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If pre-configured sidelink resources are allocated by the base station, then the adaptability is improved, but the resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to static allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesidelink resource adaptabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines pre-configuration with dynamic activation. Multiple resource configurations are prepared in advance for different scenarios, but actual resource usage is dynamically determined by real-time transmission status monitoring. The UE adapts resource selection based on current channel conditions and feedback, transforming static pre-configuration into dynamic, efficiency-optimized resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple retransmission resources with different time-frequency allocations are pre-configured for various potential scenarios. However, these resources are not continuously used but selectively activated based on actual transmission needs, allowing the system to maintain adaptability while improving efficiency by avoiding continuous resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3858014B1Method and apparatus for configuration of scheduling-based sidelink resources
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 ZTE CORP
  • EP3858014B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3858014B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3858014B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method and apparatus for configuration of scheduling-based sidelink resources for (re-) transmitting sidelink signals during sidelink communications in a wireless communication network is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a first wireless communication node, includes: transmitting a first message to a first wireless communication device; and receiving a second message from the first wireless communication device, wherein the first message comprises first information of at least one first resource for sidelink transmission and second information of at least one second resource for uplink control information (UCI), wherein the second message is received from the first wireless communication device on the at least one second resource.