Time-Division Multiplexing Sensing and Communication Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in integrating RF sensing capabilities without significant additional costs and maintaining efficient communication operations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves multiplexing communications signals and sensing signals using time-division multiplexing (TDM) within an air interface frame structure, ensuring symbol-level alignment. This allows for the simultaneous transmission of Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals and Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) sensing signals during specific slots or symbols, aligned with the air interface frame structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If RF sensing capabilities are integrated into wireless communication networks using existing nodes, then additional costs are avoided and existing coverage areas are utilized, but challenges arise in maintaining efficient communication operations and coordinating sensing and communication signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensing signals and communication signals into a unified air interface frame structure, where both types of signals are transmitted using the same time-frequency resources and hardware infrastructure. This merging approach enables joint communication and sensing operations without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure, thereby avoiding additional costs while managing coordination through standardized frame structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The air interface frame structure is designed to support multiple functions simultaneously - both communication data transmission and sensing signal transmission. The same base stations and user equipment that handle communication traffic are also capable of performing sensing operations, making the network infrastructure universal and multi-functional, which reduces deployment costs while requiring sophisticated signal management.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensing signals and communication signals are transmitted simultaneously using the same hardware, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but interference between sensing and communication operations may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air interface frame structure into distinct time-frequency resources allocated for sensing signals versus communication signals. By dividing the available resources and assigning specific slots for each function, the system enables simultaneous operation of sensing and communication using shared hardware while minimizing mutual interference through resource isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure employs periodic time-division multiplexing where sensing signals and communication signals are transmitted in alternating time slots or symbols. This periodic separation allows the same hardware to serve both functions without continuous interference, as each signal type occupies the medium during its designated time period, reducing harmful interactions while maintaining cost efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure involve a technique for receiving signals for communication and sensing. The technique comprises receiving, at a communication device, one or more sensing signals within an air interface frame structure comprising a plurality of slots, each slot comprising a plurality of symbols. The one or more sensing signals occupy a first subset symbols in the plurality of symbols. The technique further comprises receiving, at the communication device, one or more communication signals occupying a second subset of symbols in the plurality of symbols. The one or more sensing signals comprise one or more sensing waveforms, each being associated with a duration aligned with one or more symbol boundaries. The one or more communication signals comprise one or more communication symbols, each being associated with a duration aligned with one or more symbol boundaries.