Variable Duration Sidelink Synchronization Signal Beam Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the receive and transmission beams change due to the position and orientation of the transmitting User Equipment (UE), affecting sidelink synchronization, especially in scenarios where beamforming is used to account for distance coverage at the expense of angular coverage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of variable durations for transmitting sidelink synchronization signals (SLSS) helps mitigate beam shape sensitivity issues by using broader beams for initial acquisition and narrower beams for refinement, allowing for improved distance and angular coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If beamforming is used to transmit SLSS, then distance coverage is improved, but angular coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance coverageVSAvoidangular coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the beam width adjustable rather than fixed. The transmitting UE can dynamically switch between wide beams (for angular coverage during initial acquisition) and narrow beams (for distance coverage during refinement), allowing the system to adapt beam characteristics based on the operational phase and channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the beam width parameter based on the operational phase. During initial acquisition, wider beams are used to maximize angular coverage and ensure reliable detection. During refinement phase, narrower beams are employed to improve distance coverage and signal quality, thus optimizing performance across different stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If narrow beams are used for SLSS transmission, then distance coverage is improved, but initial acquisition becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance coverageVSAvoidinitial acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first transmitting wide beams during the initial acquisition phase to ensure all potential receiving UEs can detect the SLSS regardless of their angular position. Only after successful acquisition does the system transition to narrow beams for refinement, ensuring that detection is not hindered by beam width constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts beam width based on the operational phase. Wide beams are used initially to facilitate easy detection and acquisition, then the system transitions to narrow beams for refined communication, making the beam characteristic adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If wide beams are used for SLSS transmission, then angular coverage is improved, but distance coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular coverageVSAvoiddistance coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes beam width dynamic, allowing the system to use wide beams when angular coverage is the priority (initial acquisition) and narrow beams when distance coverage is the priority (refinement phase). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making beam width context-dependent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The beam width parameter is changed based on operational requirements. During initial acquisition, wide beams maximize angular coverage. During refinement, the parameter switches to narrow beams to improve distance coverage, thus optimizing the trade-off based on system state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If receive beam changes due to UE position/orientation changes, then synchronization robustness is improved, but beam training overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization robustnessVSAvoidbeam training overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing beam training during the initial acquisition phase when wide beams are used. This preliminary beam training establishes a baseline that reduces the need for frequent re-training, thereby reducing overall overhead while maintaining synchronization robustness when UE position or orientation changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11523354B2Synchronization signal for sidelink

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Sidelink synchronization facilitates providing timing reference for sidelink communications, including the transmitting of sidelink messages and/or the receiving of sidelink messages. Receive beams and transmission beams may change due to a change in the position and/or orientation of the transmitting wireless device. An apparatus for wireless communication at a wireless device determines a variable duration for a SLSS. The apparatus transmits the SLSS using the variable duration determined by the wireless device.