Sidelink Communication Sub-Frame Role Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sidelink communication systems in LTE are limited by design compromises that restrict them to uplink spectrum and unidirectional broadcast transmissions, lacking harmonious coexistence with uplink and downlink communications, and do not balance complexity and performance effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where wireless nodes determine their role as initiators or responders in sidelink communications, using distinct sub-frame types for transmission, allowing for flexible and balanced sidelink communication that can coexist with uplink and downlink communications, and enabling more complex and performant sidelink operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sidelink communications are limited to uplink spectrum only, then regulatory compliance and device implementation complexity are improved, but spectrum utilization flexibility and coexistence with downlink communications are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user equipment to perform multiple functions by allowing sidelink communications in both uplink and downlink spectra. The UE can switch between transmitting in uplink band and receiving in downlink band, making the device more versatile and capable of harmonious coexistence with both uplink and downlink communications while maintaining regulatory compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic spectrum selection where the UE can adaptively choose between uplink and downlink spectrum based on communication needs. The device dynamically switches between transmission modes (transmitting in uplink, receiving in downlink) to optimize spectrum utilization while maintaining regulatory compliance, thereby improving both flexibility and coexistence
2Device complexity
If sidelink communications use unidirectional broadcast transmissions only, then system complexity is reduced, but communication performance and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments sidelink communication into distinct phases: broadcast phase for initial data transmission and unicast phase for targeted retransmissions and acknowledgments. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple broadcast functionality while adding complex unicast capabilities when needed, thereby improving communication performance without excessively increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial full-duplex capability where the UE can simultaneously transmit broadcast signals and receive unicast signals in different time resources. This partial implementation of advanced functionality provides enhanced communication capabilities while controlling complexity by not requiring complete simultaneous full-duplex operation
3Productivity
If sidelink transmissions occur simultaneously with downlink communications in the same spectrum, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but interference with downlink receptions and regulatory compliance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic time-division multiplexing where the UE alternates between transmitting sidelink signals in uplink spectrum and receiving downlink signals in downlink spectrum. This periodic switching allows efficient utilization of both spectra while preventing simultaneous transmission that would cause interference, thereby maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting downlink receptions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension to resolve spectrum conflicts. By scheduling sidelink transmissions in specific time slots different from downlink receptions, the system achieves spectrum efficiency through time-division access while eliminating interference issues, effectively adding the time dimension to separate conflicting operations
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional receiver functionality is added to support downlink reception for sidelink, then sidelink capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the UE's receiver universally capable by enabling it to receive both downlink signals from the base station and sidelink signals from other UEs. The same receiver hardware is configured to operate in different modes (downlink reception in downlink band, sidelink reception in uplink band), improving sidelink capability without requiring separate dedicated receiver circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sidelink communication between a first wireless node and a second wireless node is described, the sidelink communication using sub-frames of a first type and a second type. The first wireless node determines whether the first wireless node is an initiator or responder of the sidelink communication. If the first wireless node determines that the first wireless node is an initiator of the sidelink communication, then it transmits data directly toward the second wireless node using the first sub-frame type. Alternatively, if the first wireless node determines that the first wireless node is a responder of the sidelink communication, then it transmits data directly toward the second wireless node using the second sub-frame type, the first sub-frame type being different than the second sub-frame.