Slot Format Indication in 5G NR Wireless Communications

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G new radio (NR) communications, existing methods for indicating slot formats are limited as they rely on the first one to three downlink symbols to carry indication information, which may not always be available, especially when a symbol at the beginning of a slot is not a downlink symbol, leading to incomplete or incorrect slot format determination.

Innovation Solution

The method involves receiving both first and second indication information in a single slot, where the first indication information determines the slot format of the first slot, and the second indication information determines the slot format of a subsequent slot, allowing for uplink or downlink transmission based on distinct slot formats, even when initial symbols are not downlink symbols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If indication information is carried in the first one to three downlink symbols of each slot, then the terminal can determine the slot format of the current slot, but the indication information cannot be carried when the first symbol is not a downlink symbol

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslot format indication reliabilityVSAvoidslot format adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carries indication information for multiple slots (current slot and at least one subsequent slot) within a single slot's downlink symbols. This dimensional change from indicating one slot at a time to indicating multiple slots simultaneously allows the system to maintain reliable indication when downlink symbols are available while adapting to cases where subsequent slots cannot carry their own indication information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses downlink symbols in the current slot to carry indication information for subsequent slots before those subsequent slots actually occur. This preliminary action ensures that the terminal has the necessary slot format information available in advance, resolving the contradiction by providing indication information proactively when the current slot has available downlink symbols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the base station sends indication information for the current slot only, then the indication information can be accurately delivered, but the terminal cannot determine slot formats for subsequent slots when their initial symbols are not downlink symbols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslot format determination accuracyVSAvoidslot format determination delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carries indication information for subsequent slots in advance within the current slot's downlink symbols. This preliminary action allows the terminal to determine slot formats for multiple slots simultaneously rather than waiting for each slot's indication information, eliminating delays when subsequent slots cannot carry their own indication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the indication information carrying capability from the time dimension (one slot at a time) to a multi-slot dimension, where a single slot carries indication information for multiple slots. This allows accurate determination of slot formats across multiple slots without time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If each slot carries its own indication information, then each slot format can be independently determined, but slots without downlink symbols at the beginning cannot carry indication information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslot format determination simplicityVSAvoidindication information availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the downlink symbols in the current slot serve multiple functions: indicating the slot format for the current slot and also indicating slot formats for one or more subsequent slots. This multi-functionality ensures that indication information is reliably available for multiple slots even when those subsequent slots cannot carry their own indication information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-to-one relationship (one slot carries indication for one slot) to a one-to-many relationship (one slot carries indication for multiple slots). This dimensional change in the indication relationship ensures reliable indication availability while maintaining operational simplicity for the terminal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11483093B2Indication method, indication determining method, sending device, and receiving device

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

This application relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and provides an indication method, an indication determining method, a sending device, and a receiving device, to resolve a problem existing in a transmission technology solution in which a slot format is indicated by using single indication information. The indication determining method includes: receiving, by a receiving device in a first slot, first indication information and second indication information that are sent by a sending device; and determining, by the receiving device, that the first indication information indicates a slot format of the first slot, and that the second indication information indicates a slot format of a second slot, where the second slot is a slot after the first slot. This application is applicable to a scenario in which a slot format is configured for a slot.