Wireless Backhaul Coordination Notifications for Lower Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communications systems in integrated access/backhaul (IAB) networks experience latency issues due to signaling methods that introduce delays in coordinating information across multiple hops, particularly for delay-sensitive packets and synchronization loss.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a full-duplex operating mode using an amplify-forwarding technique within a configured time resource container, allowing simultaneous signal reception and transmission, with a time resource container aligned for each access node to reduce latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional signaling methods are used in IAB networks, then coordination information can be communicated between access nodes, but latency is introduced that impacts network performance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidnetwork performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements full-duplex operation mode that enables continuous simultaneous transmission and reception of signals between access nodes. This eliminates idle time between transmit and receive operations, maintaining continuous useful action for coordination information exchange, thereby reducing latency while improving network performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces periodic notification signals with specific periodicity for coordination information exchange. By establishing regular periodic action for signaling, the system ensures timely delivery of coordination information without introducing excessive latency, optimizing the balance between communication reliability and network performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of time

If full-duplex operation mode is implemented, then latency is reduced through simultaneous signal processing, but self-interference and signal quality degradation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces notification signals as intermediary elements that carry coordination information between access nodes. These intermediary signals are specifically designed with appropriate power levels and timing to enable reliable full-duplex operation by mediating the interaction between simultaneous transmit and receive operations, reducing self-interference impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts parameters such as signal power, timing offsets, and resource allocation for notification signals based on channel conditions and interference levels. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains signal quality and reliability while enabling low-latency full-duplex operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If time resource containers are aligned for all access nodes, then coordination efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables access nodes to autonomously determine and apply time resource container alignments based on pre-configured parameters and local timing references. Each access node performs self-service synchronization without requiring complex centralized coordination, improving coordination efficiency while limiting the increase in device complexity to basic autonomous synchronization functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4022994B1Notifications of coordination information in wireless backhaul systems
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4022994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4022994B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4022994B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described to coordinate information across a wireless network. One or more access nodes of a wireless network may configure a time resource container for receiving, amplifying, and forwarding a signal, such as a notification signal, in an operating mode. A notification signal may include an indication of coordination information and may be transmitted or received in the time resource container, such as in a first subset of a set of time resources of the time resource container. An access node may first receive a signal from a second access node, amplify and forward the signal in the time resource container to a third access node, and then decode the received signal and determine whether the signal includes coordination information for the access node. If the signal includes coordination information for the access node, the access node may perform one or more actions.