Symmetric Waveform P2P Communication Reducing UE Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently supporting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication between user equipments (UEs) due to differences in downlink and uplink waveforms, which complicate the design and increase complexity for UEs to facilitate P2P communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a symmetric waveform for both P2P downlink and uplink communication between UEs, allowing them to transmit and receive signals based on the same waveform, and utilizing proximity detection signals in a portion of a subframe to improve performance and reduce delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different waveforms are used for downlink and uplink communication between UEs, then communication compatibility with existing WAN infrastructure is maintained, but device complexity increases and design becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using different waveforms for downlink (OFDMA) and uplink (SC-FDMA) communication, matching the asymmetric structure of traditional WAN interfaces. This allows each UE to maintain compatibility with existing network infrastructure while enabling P2P communication, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full eNB functionality is implemented in UEs for P2P communication, then complete downlink and uplink capabilities are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential P2P communication functionality from the complete eNB feature set. UEs implement simplified protocols that enable direct P2P communication without requiring full base station capabilities, thus achieving necessary P2P functionality while avoiding the complexity and cost of implementing complete eNB functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables UEs to perform multiple functions - acting as both end devices for WAN communication and as simplified peer devices for P2P communication. This multi-functionality allows standard UE hardware to support both traditional cellular communication and direct P2P links without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure.
3Reliability
If proximity detection signals are transmitted throughout the entire subframe, then detection reliability is improved, but transmission delay increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the subframe structure to allocate specific time resources for proximity detection signals rather than using the entire subframe. This segmentation allows detection signals to be transmitted in dedicated slots while leaving other time resources available for data transmission, thereby maintaining detection reliability while reducing transmission delay and improving overall throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for supporting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication are disclosed. In an aspect, P2P communication may be supported with a symmetric waveform for a P2P downlink and a P2P uplink. In one design, a first UE generates a first signal based on a particular waveform (e.g., a downlink waveform or an uplink waveform for a wireless network) and transmits the first signal to a second UE for P2P communication. The first UE also receives a second signal generated by the second UE based on the particular waveform and transmitted to the first UE for P2P communication. In another aspect, a proximity detection signal may be transmitted in a portion of a subframe instead of the entire subframe. The remaining portion of the subframe may be used to transmit control information and/or other information to support P2P communication.