Slot Format Indicator Rules for Adapted SSB Timing Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently coordinating transmission directions when synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) are dynamically or semi-persistently adapted, leading to potential communication errors and reduced spectral efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing slot format indicator (SFI) interpretation rules that account for both initially configured and dynamically or semi-persistently updated SSB positioning, ensuring that UEs and network entities synchronize and coordinate transmission directions based on both types of SSB information, thereby reducing communication errors and increasing spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If SSB timing information is dynamically updated to add additional SSBs, then system adaptability and spectral efficiency are improved, but SFI interpretation complexity and communication errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSSB adaptation flexibilityVSAvoidSFI interpretation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rule-based intermediary mechanism that mediates between the dynamically updated SSB timing information and the SFI interpretation process. This rule set acts as an intermediary layer that translates complex timing updates into straightforward SFI interpretation guidelines, allowing UEs to correctly interpret slot formats without directly processing the complexity of dynamic SSB additions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing predefined rules for SFI interpretation before the actual communication occurs. These rules are prepared in advance to handle various SSB timing scenarios, including dynamic additions, ensuring that when SSB timing information is updated, the UE already has the interpretation framework in place to process the changes correctly without additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If SSB timing information is dynamically updated, then spectral efficiency and data rates are improved, but communication errors and synchronization issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network entity provides updated SSB timing information through standardized signaling procedures, and the UE confirms correct interpretation and application of these updates. This feedback loop ensures that spectral efficiency gains from dynamic SSB updates are achieved while maintaining communication reliability through verification of proper synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by establishing robust error handling and fallback mechanisms in the SFI interpretation rules. These protective measures are built into the system architecture to cushion against potential synchronization errors that may arise from dynamic SSB timing updates, ensuring that communication reliability is maintained even when spectral efficiency is optimized through dynamic adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If strict SFI interpretation rules are enforced for updated SSB timing, then communication reliability is improved, but system flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing SFI interpretation rules that are themselves dynamic rather than static. The rules can adapt to different SSB timing configurations and update scenarios, allowing the system to maintain reliability through consistent interpretation while preserving flexibility to handle various dynamic conditions. The rule set evolves with the SSB timing information rather than rigidly enforcing a single interpretation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250317876A1Slot format indicator interpretation rules in the presence of adapted synchronization signal blocks

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) and a network entity may support one or more slot format indicator (SFI) interpretation rules that account for both initially provided synchronization signal block (SSB) positioning information and dynamically or semi-persistently adapted SSB positioning information. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE and the network entity may support one or more SFI interpretation rules that enable greater coordination and synchronization between the UE and the network entity regarding how SFI indications relate to adapted SSB positioning information. The rule may define allowed transmission direction formats for slots that overlap with updated SSB timing information. Additionally, or alternatively, the rule may define a transmission direction for one or more symbols of a slot based on an SFI and based on the one or more symbols overlapping with a symbol in which an SSB is present.