Slot Format Configuration With Multiple Switching Points
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wireless communication systems face challenges in accommodating diverse traffic types with different quality of service (QoS) requirements, as fixed frame structures are inadequate for low latency communications, particularly in ensuring reliability and providing sufficient HARQ-based re-transmission opportunities.
Innovation Solution
Configuring multiple switching points within a slot allows for dynamic adjustment of downlink and uplink communications, enabling faster HARQ round trip times and supporting low latency requirements by allowing more re-transmission opportunities within a given time frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single switching point per slot is configured, then the frame structure remains simple and fixed, but low latency communications cannot meet reliability requirements due to insufficient HARQ re-transmission opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is divided into multiple segments with multiple switching points instead of a single switching point, creating distinct DL and UL regions within the slot. This segmentation enables multiple HARQ re-transmission opportunities while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through standardized format definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot format is made dynamic by allowing multiple switching points within a slot, enabling the system to adaptively configure DL/UL patterns based on traffic requirements. This dynamic configuration supports low latency communications while maintaining reliability through multiple re-transmission opportunities within the same slot.
2Productivity
If multiple switching points per slot are configured, then low latency communications can achieve sufficient HARQ re-transmission opportunities, but the slot format configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The slot structure is segmented into multiple DL/UL regions separated by switching points, enabling faster HARQ round trips by creating multiple re-transmission opportunities within a single slot. This segmentation increases productivity while the standardized format definitions keep configuration complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot format parameters are changed to include multiple switching points with specific positions and configurations. By defining standardized format parameters and patterns, the system achieves high HARQ round trip speed while controlling configuration complexity through parameterized format definitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed frame structures are used, then resource allocation is simple and interference is reduced, but diverse traffic types with different QoS requirements cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure transitions from fixed to dynamic by introducing multiple switching points and configurable slot formats within a slot. This dynamic structure enables adaptation to diverse traffic types with different QoS requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized format definitions and configuration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot format configuration mechanism is designed to be universal, supporting multiple traffic types and QoS requirements through a single configurable framework. The standardized format definitions and switching point configurations enable the system to handle diverse traffic patterns without requiring separate specialized structures for each traffic type.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided that facilitate multiple switching points within a slot. A slot format indication is conveyed to a user equipment which indicates which symbols within a slot are uplink, downlink or unknown. Some formats feature half-slot switching meaning that a switch from uplink to downlink transmission takes place twice within a slot. Switching on a more frequent basis can deliver improved latency.