Terminal Scheduling Flexibility via TDD Configuration Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems like 5G and NR, conflicting communication directions within the same or different slots can lead to decreased communication throughput and quality, as existing methods do not effectively prevent such conflicts.

Innovation Solution

A terminal and radio communication method that assumes no conflicts in predetermined slots, prioritizes critical symbols, and adjusts communication directions based on physical layer signaling to prevent collisions, using higher layer signaling to identify and manage communication directions within slots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple TDD UL/DL configurations are used to increase scheduling flexibility, then communication adaptability is improved, but communication direction conflicts occur leading to decreased throughput and quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TDD configuration into multiple independent configurations (first TDD UL/DL configuration and second TDD UL/DL configuration), each with its own timing parameters for UL and DL scheduling. This allows the system to maintain scheduling flexibility while managing conflicts by processing configurations separately rather than as a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that receives indications of directions to use for subframes with conflicting directions between the first and second TDD UL/DL configurations. This intermediary resolution mechanism allows the system to resolve conflicts and maintain throughput while preserving the flexibility of multiple configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple TDD UL/DL configurations are used to increase scheduling flexibility, then communication adaptability is improved, but communication direction conflicts occur leading to decreased quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the TDD configuration into separate first and second configurations with distinct timing parameters, the patent enables independent optimization of UL and DL scheduling in each configuration, reducing interference and improving communication quality while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediary mechanism that resolves direction conflicts between configurations ensures reliable communication by providing clear guidance on which direction to use in conflicting subframes, preventing errors and maintaining communication quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If first TDD UL/DL configuration is used for both UL and DL timing, then device complexity is reduced, but scheduling precision for conflicting directions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration management complexityVSAvoidscheduling precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the timing configuration into separate first and second TDD UL/DL configurations, each with dedicated timing parameters for UL and DL. This segmentation provides precise scheduling control for each direction while the overall structure remains manageable through standardized configuration formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3592061B1User terminal and wireless communication method
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3592061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3592061B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3592061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is designed to prevent communicating directions from conflicting with each other. According to one aspect of the present invention, a terminal has a receiving section that receives downlink control information to schedule transmission and/or receipt of data in a predetermined slot, and a control section that judges the direction of communication in the predetermined slot and that controls transmission and/or receipt.