Subband-Specific Channels and Signals Configuration for Full-Duplex
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in optimizing latency and data transmission efficiency, particularly in managing simultaneous uplink and downlink communications within the same frequency resources, which is not effectively addressed by existing duplexing methods like TDD and self-contained slots.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of subband full-duplex (SBFD) technology, where network access nodes and user equipment configure subband-specific channels and signals using radio resource control (RRC) signaling to enable simultaneous non-overlapping uplink and downlink communications within a slot, optimizing frequency resource utilization and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If time division duplexing (TDD) is used to schedule uplink or downlink slots, then frequency resources are allocated efficiently, but latency increases due to sequential transmission and the inability to transmit uplink and downlink simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is segmented into multiple subbands, allowing different subbands to be used for uplink and downlink transmissions simultaneously within the same slot. This segmentation enables parallel transmission in different frequency portions, reducing latency while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of frequency-domain multiplexing by dividing the total bandwidth into subbands. Instead of time-division only, the system now utilizes both time and frequency dimensions simultaneously, allowing uplink and downlink to coexist in the time domain through frequency division, thereby reducing latency without sacrificing transmission efficiency.
2Loss of time
If self-contained slots are used with non-overlapping time resources for uplink and downlink, then latency is improved, but frequency resource utilization remains suboptimal compared to simultaneous full-duplex operation
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum is divided into multiple subbands, enabling simultaneous uplink and downlink transmissions in different subbands within the same slot. This maintains the low-latency benefit of self-contained slots while significantly improving frequency resource utilization through parallel transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges uplink and downlink transmissions by combining them in the time domain through frequency division multiplexing. Both directions transmit simultaneously in different subbands within the same slot, achieving full-duplex operation that improves frequency resource utilization while maintaining low latency.
3Productivity
If subband full-duplex is implemented to allow simultaneous uplink and downlink communications, then frequency resource utilization and data transmission efficiency improve, but interference management between uplink and downlink becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the frequency band into distinct subbands for uplink and downlink transmissions, the patent reduces interference between directions. Frequency division creates separation in the frequency domain, allowing simultaneous transmissions with reduced mutual interference compared to time-division approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
Different subbands are allocated with different transmission directions (uplink or downlink) based on local traffic conditions and interference characteristics. This allows optimized local quality for each subband, reducing overall interference by matching transmission directions to subband characteristics.
4Loss of time
If subband-specific channels and signals are configured using RRC signaling, then channel state information and HARQ feedback can be conveyed faster, but signaling complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
RRC signaling is used to pre-configure subband-specific channels and signals before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary configuration establishes the necessary parameters and structures in advance, enabling faster channel state information and HARQ feedback conveyance during operation while managing the complexity through standardized configuration procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus related to a network entity and a user equipment are described. The network entity is configured to receive an indication that a user equipment is aware of subband full-duplex operation and transmit, in response to receiving the indication, at least one of a downlink subband full-duplex-specific channels and signals configuration or an uplink subband full-duplex-specific channels and signals configuration. The user equipment is configured transmit an indication that the user equipment is aware of subband full-duplex operation, and, in response to transmitting the indication, receive scheduling information from a network entity indicating that the user equipment is scheduled to transmit uplink or receive downlink in at least one of: a subband full-duplex (SBFD) slot, or a flexible symbol.