UE IDC Problem Detection and Beam Reporting in NR

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in New Radio (NR) technology, In-Device Coexistence (IDC) problems arise due to interference between collocated radio transceivers operating on adjacent frequencies, leading to suboptimal performance and potential data transmission disruptions.

Innovation Solution

User Equipment (UE) determines whether a beam associated with a reference signal has an IDC problem and reports this information to a network node, allowing for targeted interference mitigation strategies such as frequency or time domain multiplexing to be applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If beam reporting is performed without considering IDC problems, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but interference from collocated radio transceivers worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam selection accuracyVSAvoidinterference from collocated radio transceivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the beam reporting process into two distinct parts: beams affected by IDC problems and beams not affected by IDC problems. The UE identifies and separates these beams in the report, allowing the network to make informed decisions about which beams to use for communication. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate beam selection while explicitly accounting for interference issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary indicator (idc-BeamAffectedIndicator) that mediates between the beam quality information and the network's beam selection decision. This indicator acts as a signal that tells the network whether a reported beam is affected by IDC problems, allowing the network to balance between beam selection accuracy and interference avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If all beams are reported to the network, then data transmission quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidreporting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information from the beam reporting process - specifically, it extracts the IDC problem status indicator for each beam. Instead of reporting all possible beam parameters, the UE reports only the beams of interest along with their IDC status, reducing reporting complexity while maintaining data transmission quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by reporting only a subset of beams (those that are relevant and their IDC status) rather than all possible beams. The indicator field is optionally included based on whether IDC problems are present, avoiding unnecessary reporting overhead while ensuring reliable data transmission when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency or time domain multiplexing is applied to mitigate interference, then interference reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference from collocated radio transceiversVSAvoidinterference mitigation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service by allowing the network to automatically determine the appropriate interference mitigation strategy based on the reported IDC status. The network receives the beam IDC indicator and autonomously decides whether to apply frequency domain multiplexing, time domain multiplexing, or other mitigation techniques, eliminating the need for complex UE-side interference management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by reporting the IDC problem status to the network, which then uses this information to adjust resource allocation and apply appropriate multiplexing strategies. The network can configure TDM patterns or frequency adjustments based on the feedback received, resolving interference issues through centralized control rather than complex distributed coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3720226B1Handling IDC problems in NR in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC
  • EP3720226B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3720226B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3720226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus are disclosed. In an example from the perspective of a User Equipment, UE, the UE determines whether a beam associated with a reference signal of a cell has an In-Device Coexistence, IDC, problem (1605). The UE determines whether to include information associated with the reference signal in a report based on whether the beam associated with the reference signal has the IDC problem (1610). The UE transmits the report to a network node (1615).