Uplink-Downlink Sensing Scheduling for Mobile Network Echo Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems face challenges in improving sensing performance, particularly in 5G-advanced technologies, as base stations send sensing signals only in downlink slots to avoid uplink interference, limiting the utilization of uplink and downlink spectrum resources.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that involves sending and receiving signals in both uplink and downlink time periods, utilizing echo signals for enhanced sensing, with specific timing and power configurations to optimize sensing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base station sends sensing signal only in downlink slot to avoid uplink interference, then uplink communication is protected from interference, but sensing performance is limited due to underutilization of spectrum resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink communication qualityVSAvoidsensing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time period into multiple slots and further divides them into first time periods (for downlink sensing signals) and second time periods (for uplink sensing signals). This segmentation allows the system to utilize both downlink and uplink time periods for sensing, thereby improving sensing performance while maintaining uplink communication quality through proper time division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic sensing signal transmission in both downlink and uplink time periods. By establishing a periodic action pattern where sensing signals are sent in alternating downlink and uplink slots, the system achieves continuous sensing coverage and improves productivity without interfering with uplink communication, as the periodic structure allows for systematic resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If base station sends sensing signal only in downlink slot, then uplink communication is protected, but spectrum resource utilization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink communication qualityVSAvoidspectrum resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes both downlink and uplink time periods serve the universal function of carrying sensing signals. The downlink time periods are used for base station to terminal sensing signals, while uplink time periods are used for terminal to base station sensing signals. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to utilize the full spectrum resources for sensing purposes while maintaining the reliability of uplink communication through proper time division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the available time periods into distinct first time periods (downlink) and second time periods (uplink), allowing the system to allocate spectrum resources efficiently. This segmentation enables the system to utilize both downlink and uplink spectrum resources for sensing, thereby increasing the quantity of usable spectrum resources while maintaining uplink communication quality through proper time division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If terminal device receives first signal in multiple time periods, then sensing coverage is improved, but signal processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing precisionVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal reception process into two distinct phases: receiving first sensing signals in downlink time periods and receiving second sensing signals in uplink time periods. This segmentation allows the terminal device to process signals from different time periods separately, improving sensing precision through multi-directional signal reception while managing processing complexity through structured signal acquisition and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the terminal device determine the second time period based on the first signal received in the first time period. This preliminary determination of the second time period allows the terminal to prepare for and optimize the reception and processing of uplink sensing signals, thereby improving sensing precision while reducing real-time processing complexity through advance signal timing coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach fully utilizes uplink and downlink spectrum resources, improving sensing performance by enabling high signal reception strength and enabling advanced sensing capabilities such as ranging and target detection.

Implementation Method 1

A sensing technology requires a transmit end to send a radio wave in a specific direction. When the radio wave irradiates a surface of the target, a reflected wave is generated. Then, a receive end receives and processes the reflected wave to obtain information such as a location, a speed, and a type of the target.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEcho signal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4694515A1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694515A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694515A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4694515A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A communication method and apparatus are provided. The method includes: A network device receives an echo signal of a first signal in N first time periods, receives a second signal in M second time periods, and performs sensing based on the echo signal of the first signal and the second signal. Each second time period is associated with one first time period, the first time period is a downlink time period, and the second time period is an uplink time period. Therefore, in a sensing process of the network device, uplink and downlink spectrum resources are fully used, thereby improving sensing performance.