Sidelink Slot Structure for In-Slot Sensing Echo and Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slot structures cannot implement integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) effectively.
Innovation Solution
A new SL slot structure is introduced, allowing for sensing and communication to be performed using sidelink time domain resources, including specific time domain allocations for sending sensing sequences and receiving sensing echoes, with flexible resource division and antenna switching periods to ensure seamless integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing slot structure is used, then communication function is maintained, but integrated sensing and communication cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a slot structure that can simultaneously support both communication and sensing functions. The slot includes multiple symbols where certain symbols are configured for sensing sequence transmission and echo reception, while other symbols maintain communication functions. This allows the same time-domain resource to serve dual purposes, enabling integrated sensing and communication without requiring separate dedicated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the slot into multiple symbols with different functions. Specifically, it divides the slot into communication symbols and sensing symbols, where sensing symbols are further divided into uplink (transmission) and downlink (reception) portions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of communication and sensing parameters while maintaining overall system coordination.
2Reliability
If sensing sequence is sent and sensing echo is received, then sensing function is achieved, but time domain resource allocation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic switching between transmission and reception modes within the slot structure. A switching point is defined between uplink and downlink symbols, allowing the system to dynamically transition from sending sensing sequences to receiving sensing echoes. This dynamic allocation optimizes time domain resource usage by ensuring that transmission and reception operations do not overlap, thereby simplifying resource management while maintaining sensing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of the slot structure by pre-defining which symbols are allocated for sensing transmission and which are for reception. The switching point between uplink and downlink is determined in advance, allowing the system to prepare time domain resources before actual sensing operations begin. This preliminary action simplifies real-time resource allocation decisions.
3Reliability
If antenna switching is performed from transmission to reception, then sensing echo can be received, but switching time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary switching of the antenna from transmission mode to reception mode during the guard period or at the boundary between uplink and downlink symbols. By completing the antenna switching operation before the downlink sensing echo reception begins, the system ensures that the antenna is fully prepared to receive echoes without interruption. This preliminary action minimizes the impact of switching time on the actual sensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that the antenna switching occurs during non-sensing intervals (such as guard periods or transition symbols). This allows the sensing sequence transmission to complete and the antenna to switch modes without interrupting the overall sensing process. The useful action of sensing continues seamlessly across the transmission-reception boundary.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communication method and apparatus, and belongs to the field of communication technologies, to implement integrated sensing and communication based on a new sidelink SL slot structure. In the method, a terminal apparatus may perform sensing by reusing a sidelink time domain resource. To be specific, the terminal apparatus may perform sensing by sending a sensing sequence and/or receiving a sensing echo on a first time domain resource and/or a second time domain resource of an SL slot. In other words, the terminal apparatus may perform sensing while communicating with another terminal apparatus. In this way, integrated sensing and communication can be implemented based on the foregoing SL slot structure.