User Terminal Signal Allocation for Dynamic TDD Frame Configurations

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Solution Overview

Problem

In next-generation mobile communication systems, the varying traffic ratios of uplink (UL), downlink (DL), and sidelinks (SLs) over time or location pose challenges for efficient radio resource management, particularly in systems using Time Division Duplex (TDD) and introducing multiple frame configurations.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method for appropriately controlling signal allocation in user terminals and radio communication systems by configuring a common allocation field for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) reference signals across multiple frame configurations, ensuring efficient resource utilization and low latency link adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple frame configurations are introduced to dynamically adapt to varying traffic ratios, then adaptability and resource efficiency are improved, but device complexity and signal allocation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying traffic ratiosVSAvoidsignal allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal allocation control into two parts: a common allocation field that remains identical across all frame configurations, and a specific allocation field that varies per configuration. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adaptability through configuration-specific resources while reducing complexity by reusing the common allocation field structure across all configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common allocation field serves multiple frame configurations simultaneously, acting as a universal resource allocation structure. By designing this common field to be applicable across different UL/DL configurations, the patent reduces the overall complexity while maintaining the ability to adapt to varying traffic patterns through the use of multiple frame configurations.

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

2Productivity

If multiple frame configurations are introduced to dynamically change communication direction, then resource efficiency is improved, but control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism is segmented into common control parameters that apply to all frame configurations and configuration-specific parameters. This segmentation simplifies the control process by allowing the system to manage a core set of common parameters while only adjusting configuration-specific parameters when switching between different UL/DL configurations, thereby improving resource efficiency without proportionally increasing control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If dynamic TDD is implemented to match varying traffic demands, then resource utilization is improved, but signal allocation control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource utilizationVSAvoidsignal allocation control difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining a common allocation field structure that can be reused across multiple frame configurations. This preliminary setup reduces the real-time control difficulty, as the system only needs to select and activate appropriate configurations rather than creating new allocation structures dynamically, thereby improving resource utilization while managing control difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3471472B1User terminal and wireless communication method
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3471472B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1G
  • EP3471472B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3471472B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is designed so that allocation of signals can be controlled appropriately even when multiple frame configurations are introduced. A control section that controls communication using a plurality of frame configurations that are applied to downlink data transmission, and a receiving section that receives a downlink reference signal are provided, and the receiving section performs reception, assuming that the downlink reference signal is allocated to a common time field and/or frequency field in the plurality of frame configurations. Furthermore, a control section that controls communication using a plurality of frame configurations that are applied to uplink data transmission, and a transmission section that transmits a measurement reference signal are provided, and the transmission section allocates the uplink reference signal to a common time field and/or frequency field in the plurality of frame configurations, and performs transmission.