Wireless Resource Grant for Flexible Symbol Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in determining optimal resource allocation for uplink communications, particularly in handling flexible symbols and transitioning between uplink and downlink communications, especially for ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) scenarios, where stringent reliability and latency requirements complicate the determination of communication directions and repetition mapping.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a slot format indicator (SFI) to determine communication directions for symbols as uplink, downlink, or flexible, and a resource grant that includes an index, number of symbols, and nominal repetitions, with indicators determining whether flexible symbols can be used for uplink communications, allowing for dynamic adjustments based on communication types and transition numbers to optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If flexible symbols are used for uplink communications to increase resource utilization, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to uncertainty in communication direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcommunication direction certainty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an indicator as an intermediary element that mediates between the flexible symbol configuration and the uplink communication. This indicator explicitly signals whether flexible symbols can be used for uplink transmissions, resolving the uncertainty about communication direction while allowing resource flexibility. The indicator acts as a bridge that enables reliable interpretation of flexible symbol usage without compromising communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dynamic adjustments based on communication types are implemented to meet stringent requirements, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with URLLC and eMBB requirementsVSAvoiddetermination logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by introducing configurable indicators that dynamically adjust the interpretation of flexible symbols based on communication type. Instead of complex determination logic, the system changes the parameter state of the indicator to reflect whether flexible symbols are available for uplink, allowing simple device operation while meeting diverse reliability requirements for different communication types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If transition numbers are considered to optimize resource allocation, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidtransition number determination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring transition numbers and their associated indicators before actual communications occur. This allows the system to optimize resource allocation for transitions between communication types in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time measurements and decisions during active communications, thereby improving productivity without increasing measurement precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3997826B1Techniques for determining resources for repetitions in wireless communications
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3997826B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3997826B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3997826B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects described herein relate to determining symbols over which to transmit repetitions for certain types of communications. A resource grant can include information for transmitting a number of repetitions over a collection of resources, such as a starting symbol over which to transmit communications, a number of symbols over which to transmit communications, and/or a nominal number of repetitions to transmit. Where time division multiplexing (TDM) communications are configured, a slot format indicator (SFI) can be semi-statically or dynamically configured and can indicate a communication direction of symbols within one or more slots as being uplink, downlink, or flexible. Thus, mapping uplink communications to the symbols may be based on additional considerations.