User Equipment Sidelink Coordination for Wireless Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

User equipment in close proximity experience signal interference and performance degradation when attempting to communicate with wireless networks, leading to data loss and inefficient resource usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a sidelink communication method using peer-to-peer or device-to-device technology, allowing user equipment to coordinate communication timing and frequency bands to reduce interference, and utilizing a network connector to relay signals and share GNSS acquisition tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If user equipment transmits or receives wireless signals in close proximity, then communication functionality is enabled, but signal interference occurs causing data loss and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing sidelink communication between nearby user equipment before network communication occurs. This allows the first user equipment to proactively query the second user equipment about its communication status on the second frequency, and to receive advance notification if communication is detected, enabling preventive measures to be taken before interference occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sidelink communication as an intermediary mechanism between user equipment and networks. This intermediary channel operates on a first frequency separate from the second frequency used for network communication, allowing user equipment to coordinate and share information about their communication activities, thereby mediating potential interference issues before they affect network signal quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If user equipment coordinates communication timing via sidelink, then signal interference is reduced, but communication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidcommunication coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coordination mechanism is applied locally only between user equipment in close proximity that have established sidelink communication, rather than globally across all network devices. The first user equipment specifically queries and coordinates with the second user equipment on a local basis, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining signal quality where interference is most likely to occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If user equipment monitors communication status on second frequency, then interference can be avoided, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidbattery power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by having user equipment monitor and report their own communication status through sidelink. The second user equipment automatically detects when it is communicating on the second frequency and notifies the first user equipment, eliminating the need for the first user equipment to continuously monitor the second frequency and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable interference avoidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4340523A1Methods for mitigating coexistence of uncoordinated wireless systems via sidelink, non-transitory computer-readable medium and user equipment

Publication Date: 2024.03.20 APPLE INC

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AI summary

User equipment may transmit and receive wireless signals to and from communication networks. However, in close proximity, transmission signals from a first user equipment may interfere with wireless signals received by a second user equipment. In certain instances, the user equipment may establish a session via peer-to-peer technologies and coordinate timing for communication with the networks. For example, the user equipment may establish a sidelink having a frequency different from a frequency used for communication with the networks. The user equipment may prioritize communication to a first communication network over a second communications network or vice versa. The user equipment may also designate a network connector and relay communication with the networks through the network connector. Additionally or alternatively, the user equipment may share the task of determining a global position. Accordingly, the user equipment may reduce or eliminate signal interference and preserve battery power.