Implicit Tx Switching Signaling via Band Ordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of operating bands in 5G NR uplink transmit (Tx) switching configurations leads to ambiguity issues due to the complexity of antenna design, resulting in unnecessary performance loss from applying the maximum switching period, which is longer than actual switching periods, causing blanking and performance loss.
Innovation Solution
Implicitly signaling the Tx switching configuration by ordering the bands in a signaling message, allowing the wireless communication device to specify band combinations and switch configurations without additional overhead, thereby resolving ambiguity and optimizing switching periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the maximum switching period of all possible switching pairs is applied during Tx switching, then the ambiguity issue is resolved, but unnecessary performance loss occurs due to blanking of actual switching periods shorter than the maximum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the band combination indication into two parts: the set of bands involved and their specific ordering. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between different switching configurations (e.g., band A then band B vs. band B then band A) without requiring additional signaling overhead, thereby resolving ambiguity while enabling shorter switching periods to be accurately represented and executed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the band combination representation by ordering the bands in a specific sequence. Instead of merely listing bands without distinction, the ordered tuple (band1, band2) provides temporal sequencing information, allowing the receiver to understand the intended switching order and apply appropriate switching periods for each band pair individually rather than using a maximum across all pairs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of operating bands in Tx switching is increased from two to three or more, then system versatility is improved, but ambiguity issues arise due to limited antenna design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal representation method that works for any number of bands (2, 3, or more) by using ordered tuples. The same principle of ordering bands in a sequence applies regardless of the total number of bands involved, allowing the system to scale from two-band to multi-band configurations without changing the fundamental signaling mechanism or introducing ambiguity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary ordering of bands in the signaling message before the actual switching occurs. By pre-establishing the intended sequence of band transitions in the ordered tuple, the system provides complete switching configuration information upfront, eliminating ambiguity about which band should be switched first or second, even when three or more bands are involved.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implicitly signaling a transmit (Tx) switching configuration includes: configuring a first signaling message to indicate a band combination of a plurality of bands; and sending the first signaling message, wherein the Tx switching configuration is implicitly signaled by an order of the plurality of bands of the band combination indicated by the first signaling message.