Spatial Direction Signaling for UE Antenna Switching Intervals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in utilizing uplink and downlink resources due to ambiguity in UE procedures when the time interval between uplink sounding reference signal resource sets exceeds the guard period, leading to suboptimal system performance and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implement a mechanism for determining a spatial direction for the time interval between reference signal resource sets, using implicit or explicit indications based on guard period location to manage UE antenna switching and resource utilization during intervals exceeding the guard period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the time interval between uplink sounding reference signal resource sets exceeds the guard period, then the UE can perform antenna switching, but ambiguity in UE procedures leads to suboptimal system performance and resource utilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna switching capabilityVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network provides explicit spatial direction indications to the UE in advance before the time interval between reference signal resource sets begins. This preliminary indication tells the UE which spatial direction to use for transmissions during the interval, eliminating procedural ambiguity and ensuring optimal resource utilization while enabling antenna switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the time interval between reference signal resource sets is extended, then antenna switching can be performed, but interruptions during transmission occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna switching capabilityVSAvoidtransmission interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By providing explicit spatial direction indications from the network, the UE can maintain continuous transmission activity during the time interval between reference signal resource sets. The UE knows exactly which spatial direction to use, eliminating interruptions and ensuring continuous useful transmission action throughout the extended interval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of energy

If implicit indication based on guard period location is used, then signaling overhead is reduced, but ambiguity in UE procedure determination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidUE procedure determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an explicit spatial direction indication as an intermediary message from the network to the UE. This intermediary provides clear, unambiguous instructions about which spatial direction to use during the time interval, eliminating procedural ambiguity while the network maintains control over the indication mechanism to manage signaling overhead efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250240067A1Determining spatial direction for transmission and/or reception

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Disclosed is a method comprising determining a spatial direction for a time interval between a first reference signal resource set in a first time slot and a second reference signal resource set in a second time slot; and transmitting one or more uplink transmissions and/or receiving one or more downlink transmissions according to the determined spatial direction during the time interval.