5G Slot Format Mapping Across Mixed Subcarrier Spacings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently providing services due to complexities in slot format determination and resource allocation, particularly with varying subcarrier spacings and cyclic prefixes, which affect data transmission and reception in 5G and beyond systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a slot format with an extended cyclic prefix based on a normal cyclic prefix and subcarrier spacing, and mapping link information to consecutive symbols using a slot format indicator, allowing terminals to adapt symbols as downlink, uplink, or flexible symbols based on overlapping configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If slot format determination is performed separately for each subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix configuration, then transmission accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslot format determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal slot format determination method that works across multiple subcarrier spacings (15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz) and cyclic prefix configurations (normal and extended). By establishing a common determination approach that adapts to different configurations, the system achieves accurate slot format identification without requiring separate complex determination mechanisms for each configuration type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts slot format determination based on changing parameters such as subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix length. The system dynamically modifies its determination process according to the specific configuration being used, allowing accurate adaptation to different transmission scenarios while maintaining a unified underlying methodology rather than requiring completely separate determination systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If resource allocation is optimized for specific slot formats, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but adaptability to different configurations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation that automatically adapts to different slot formats based on the determined configuration. The resource allocation mechanism adjusts its behavior in real-time according to the detected subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix type, enabling optimized transmission efficiency for each specific configuration while maintaining the ability to handle diverse slot format scenarios through a single flexible system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If separate slot format tables are maintained for normal and extended cyclic prefixes, then determination accuracy is improved, but memory requirements and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslot format determination accuracyVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a unified slot format determination approach that serves multiple cyclic prefix configurations through a single determination mechanism. Rather than maintaining separate determination systems for normal and extended cyclic prefixes, the system uses one universal determination process that adapts its interpretation based on the configured prefix type, reducing memory requirements while preserving accurate determination capability across all configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4210268B1Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information and data information in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4210268B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4210268B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4210268B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operation method of a terminal includes: receiving a slot format information for a first subcarrier spacing configuration from a base station through higher layer signaling; receiving a bandwidth part configuration including a second subcarrier spacing configuration from the base station through higher layer signaling; determining 2n consecutive symbols for the second subcarrier spacing configuration as flexible symbols in case that a symbol constituting a slot format based on the slot format information and corresponding to the 2n consecutive symbols is a flexible symbol; determining 2n consecutive symbols for the second subcarrier spacing configuration as uplink symbols in case that the symbol constituting the slot format based on the slot format information and corresponding to the 2n consecutive symbols is an uplink symbol; and determining 2n consecutive symbols for the second subcarrier spacing configuration as downlink symbols in case that the symbol constituting the slot format based on the slot format information and corresponding to the 2n consecutive symbols is a downlink symbol.