User Terminal Uplink Signal Time-Division Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In non-stand-alone radio communication systems, there is a high likelihood that multiple uplink signals from different radio access technologies (RATs) cannot be transmitted properly due to differences in carrier frequencies and duplexing methods, leading to coverage issues and performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal is designed to transmit uplink signals from different RATs at different times using specific uplink carriers, with a control section managing the switching between these carriers to avoid interference and ensure proper transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple uplink signals from different RATs are transmitted simultaneously, then the data rate and connectivity capability are improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to inter-modulation effects and interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing time-division multiplexing where uplink signals from different RATs are transmitted in alternating time periods rather than simultaneously. The control section switches between first RAT and second RAT at different time instances, eliminating inter-modulation effects while maintaining periodic connectivity to both networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the uplink transmission time into distinct intervals for different RATs. The transmission section transmits uplink signals for the first RAT during first time periods and uplink signals for the second RAT during second time periods, dividing the transmission resource to avoid interference while maintaining both connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple uplink signals from different RATs are transmitted simultaneously, then the connectivity capability is improved, but transmission quality deteriorates due to inter-modulation effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity capabilityVSAvoidinter-modulation effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control section implements periodic switching between first RAT and second RAT transmissions, creating time-separated transmission intervals that eliminate inter-modulation effects while maintaining adaptability to connect with multiple RATs through time-division multiplexing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful inter-modulation effect by separating the transmission times of different RATs. The control section identifies and removes the simultaneous transmission condition that causes inter-modulation, transmitting each RAT's uplink signals in dedicated time slots

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4145940A1User terminal and radio communication method
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4145940A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4145940A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4145940A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user terminal comprises a transmission section that transmits a first uplink (UL) signal of a first radio access technology (RAT) and a second UL signal of a second RAT, at different times; and a control section that controls switching between a first time, which is used to transmit the first UL signal using a first UL carrier of the first RAT, and a second time, which is used to transmit the second UL signal using a second UL carrier of the second RAT.