Abstract: Reliable communications is a central goal of 5G and 6G. However, due to signal fading at high frequencies and interference due to crowding, message faults continue to be a problem. Disclosed are methods for base station and user devices to adjust the modulation scheme according to the types of faults received, including amplitude faults (incorrectly demodulated amplitude levels) and phase faults (incorrectly demodulated phase levels), among others. The base station can select a more suitable modulation scheme based on the types of faults observed by user devices, such as modulation schemes with more or fewer amplitude levels and phase levels. In some versions, the number of amplitude levels is different from the number of phase levels, to combat specific fault problems.

Abstract: For more efficient use of the limited bandwidth in 5G and 6G communications, and to enable longer battery life in remote user devices, the user device can request that unnecessary downlink control messages be withheld. Instead, a custom search-space can be assigned to the user device, such that all downlink data messages will begin in one of the resource elements of the custom search-space, thereby greatly simplifying the user device's task of detecting its incoming messages in a stream of unrelated transmissions. In addition, the user device can request that the user device's identification code, and optionally the length of the data message, be prepended to the data message, for further assistance to low-cost reduced-capability user devices that do not require low latency.

Abstract: Human drivers generally cannot plan a collision evasion maneuver in the brief interval before impact, other than simply slamming on the brakes and hoping for the best. Often the collision could have been avoided by swerving or other sequence of actions. Therefore, improved collision avoidance and mitigation procedures are disclosed, based on a well-trained artificial intelligence (AI) model that takes over the accelerator, brake, and steering in an emergency. With fast electronic reflexes and AI-based computational power, the AI model can find a more effective avoidance maneuver, or at least an action that would minimize the harm (for example, by swerving to miss the passenger compartment). The AI model can then implement the sequence instantly, without fear or hesitation. The result—fewer collisions and less fatality on our highways.

Abstract: Additional information can be packed into each message element of a 5G/6G message by varying the amplitude of the signal within the symbol-time of the message element. For example, the difference between the amplitude at the beginning and ending of the symbol-time may encode additional bits, thereby providing higher information density in each transmission. The amplitude variation may be abrupt, such as a sudden change from the first amplitude value to the second amplitude value in the middle of the symbol-time, or it may be a gradual linear ramp spanning the symbol-time. In either case, the modulation scheme may include amplitude variation levels as well as the amplitude levels themselves, thereby providing a larger modulation space and hence shorter messages. Effects on crosstalk and frequency offset due to the amplitude variation, and their mitigation, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact demodulation reference is disclosed for compatibility with reduced-capability user devices, and for enhanced throughput for high-performance user devices of 5G and 6G in high-density environments. The demodulation reference, in some embodiments, occupies only one resource element, yet provides sufficient information to enable a receiver to calculate all of the amplitude or phase modulation levels of the modulation scheme. For example, if the modulation scheme is 16QAM, the demodulation reference can include an I branch with the highest amplitude level of the modulation scheme and an orthogonal Q branch with the lowest amplitude level. Further examples apply to a multiplexed amplitude-phase modulation scheme. In each case, the receiver can calculate the remaining amplitude (or phase) modulation levels, and thereby demodulate a proximate message.

Abstract: 5G and especially 6G are built around beamed transmissions and receptions, but aligning the beams toward the intended recipient is currently an expensive and complex process that reduced-capability devices may have difficulty performing. Therefore, an improved beam alignment process is disclosed, involving “triangle” beams. A triangle beam is a wide transmission beam that is arranged to be high-power at one side and low-power at the other side, tapering monotonically between the two angles. A user device can detect the triangle beam and measure the received amplitude or power level. By comparing to the amplitude of a previous transmission, the user device can determine its angle relative to the base station. The user device can then transmit directional beams toward the base station, and can also inform the base station of the angle so that they both can use well-directed transmission and reception beams. Many other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: Base stations and user devices in 5G and 6G networks can save enormous amounts of power, while minimizing background generation, by directing narrow transmission and reception beams toward each other. To optimize those beam directions, and their lateral beam widths, and the frequency and power transmitted, a small set of test signals can be appended to each message, and a feedback message selecting the best-received test signal can be appended to the acknowledgement. In this way, the base station can develop a custom set of beam parameters optimized for each user device, and each user device can maintain its uplink beam squarely toward the base station. Result: higher signal quality per watt transmitted, fewer faults and retransmissions, and improved network operations overall.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to displaying visual effects in image data. In some examples, visual effects include an avatar displayed on a user's face. In some examples, visual effects include stickers applied to image data. In some examples, visual effects include screen effects. In some examples, visual effects are modified based on depth data in the image data.

Abstract: A wireless receiver in 5G and 6G can localize message faults by defining “exclusion regions” that do not include any of the predetermined allowed modulation states of a modulation scheme. Then, upon receiving a message, the receiver can measure (or calculate from the I and Q branch amplitudes) the received amplitude and phase of the waveform signal in each message element. If either the received amplitude or the received phase is within any of the exclusion regions, the receiver determines that message element is faulted. If the received amplitude and received phase are not within any of the exclusion regions, the message element is demodulated according to the closest modulation state. In addition, the receiver can increment an amplitude fault tally and a phase fault tally according to which parameter-amplitude or phase-is inside the exclusion regions, thereby greatly simplifying recovery of the message without a retransmission.

Abstract: Phase noise is an unsolved, limiting factor for high frequency communications envisioned for 6G. Proposed herein are phase-tracking reference signals embedded in each guard-space of a message. The receiver can recalibrate the phase noise, and amplitude noise as well, with based on each guard-space reference signal, thereby providing extremely localized noise compensation including amplitude and phase distortions and including rapidly-varying frequency-dependent distortions characteristic of interference, on a symbol-by-symbol basis, at zero cost in message throughput and transmission power. The normal functions of a cyclic prefix in the guard-space can be provided by tailoring the guard-space reference signal, as detailed herein. Examples show how guard-space reference signals provide a fault-mitigating capability that is enabling to 6G mmWave objectives.

Abstract: Modern collision-avoidance systems are capable of cooperating with other vehicles in an emergency, but only if the vehicle processors already know the locations and 5G/6G wireless addresses of the other at-risk vehicles. This is an unsolved problem. Therefore, methods are disclosed for a “planning” vehicle to solicit angle and distance measurements from each “cooperating” vehicle in proximity, and their wireless addresses. The planning vehicle can then process those measurements, determining the relative coordinates of each vehicle in view, and then broadcasting a results message with all the coordinates and, when known, wireless addresses. The vehicles can then quickly arrange coordinated evasions for collision avoidance. Optionally, an artificial intelligence model may process the angle and distance measurements, deriving the best-fit two-dimensional distribution.

Abstract: Message faulting is an expensive problem for 5G and especially for 6G due to increased pathloss and network faulting. Current message correction procedures rely on bulky FEC codes or automatic retransmission requests, further burdening the network. Disclosed are methods for a receiver to recognize a faulted message, identify the faulted message elements, and determine the corrected value for each fault, thereby recovering the correct message without a retransmission. Autonomous error correction within a receiver can be performed without network assistance or standards because the receiver has enough data, in the form of the received waveforms and the included error-detection code (usually just 16 bits) to find the corrected version internally. Reduced dependence on retransmissions and multiple code transmissions will alleviate network crowding while preserving the desired reliability and latency goals of the recipient.

Abstract: Due to the rapid cadence of messages in 5G and expected 6G networks, and rapid variations in the background and interference profile, real-time management decision-making is increasingly impractical for even experienced network operators. Therefore, means are disclosed for AI-based systems to provide support and assistance, including when appropriate to adjust network operational parameters autonomously. After suitable training, processors in a base station, or more preferably a core network facility managing multiple cells, can respond more quickly and more accurately than humans to rapid random changes in demand, interference, intrusion, and emergencies. Disclosed also are means for user devices to keep the base station and the AI management model informed of signal quality upon each uplink message (such as acknowledgements) using vary brief, multiplexed feedback messages responsive to downlink test signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for improved, rapid wireless emergency communication in both advanced (5G/6G) and low-complexity (CDMA-CA) networks. Embodiments may provide improved means for preempting other non-emergency communication, delivering an emergency message with sufficient information to enable first-responders to take appropriate action even if no further communication is possible, and for establishing a privileged voice connection following the emergency message. Embodiments may include a hailing-type emergency message configured to alert a base station when the addresses of base station is unknown to the emergency node. With improved speed and reliability of emergency communication, first-responders may begin an appropriate life-saving response without delay and with knowledge of the type and location of the emergency.

Abstract: Currently, if a wireless device transmits a message but it is not received properly, the device is required to wait a variable time before retransmitting the message, and that waiting time is increased after each unsuccessful attempt. This is to reduce network congestion at high traffic rates, but it also puts certain users at an unfair disadvantage. For example, a user that has tried repeatedly to communicate is forced to wait longer and longer intervals, while another user is permitted to communicate without delay on the same channel. Clearly, this is an unfair situation. Therefore, disclosed herein is an alternate protocol in which users are given increasing priority after each failed attempt, specifically by reducing the fixed waiting time and/or a random backoff delay, before the next attempt. Simulations show that this change substantially eliminates the unfairness.

Abstract: In 5G and expected 6G networks, beam control is a crucial requirement. Disclosed are methods for user devices to assist a base station in correctly aiming downlink beams toward each user device, and to compensate for Doppler-effect frequency offsets, and to properly adjust the transmission power for adequate reception without generating unnecessary background radiation, among many other transmission parameters to be adjusted in real-time. The feedback messages by be extremely brief, such as a single resource element appended to an acknowledgement message, and may be multiplexed with other beam adjustment requests in a predetermined code. Mobile user devices in an ad-hoc sidelink network can align their beams using such feedback procedures. In a similar way, base stations or core networks can exchange messages with each other (as in wireless backhaul) with frequent feedback-controlled adjustment of the beam parameters, for more efficient exchange of messages between cells.

Abstract: Wireless message faults are an increasing problem n 5G and especially 6G due to network crowding and pathloss attenuation at higher frequencies, among other emergent problems. Therefore, disclosed are methods to diagnose and repair faulted messages by the receiver. For example, an AI program can determine the signal quality of each message element according to the modulation quality, SNR, and other waveform measurements, and thereby identify just a portion of the message that contains all of the likely faults. That portion can then be retransmitted instead of the entire message, saving substantial time. In addition, the AI program can select which message elements of the two versions has the best signal quality, and prepare a merged message from those best-received signals.

Abstract: Message faults are expected to be a major impediment to 5G and future 6G throughput. The disclosed procedures enable a wireless receiver to recover many types of message faults based on the demodulation quality of each message element, among other diagnostic tests, and then to recover the correct message either by calculation (based on an embedded error-detection code) or by substitution (based on a search of all other modulation states in place of the faulted message elements). The method also includes determining, according to the modulation quality, when there are too many faults to efficiently mitigate, in which case a retransmission of just the affected portion is requested. The receiver can then merge the two versions of the message, selecting the better-quality message element at each position, and thereby correct the faulted message versions.

Abstract: Traffic collisions involving autonomous vehicles can be greatly reduced by timely initiation of evasive action. However, calculating a suitable sequence of actions capable of avoiding or minimizing the collision may require the speed of a supercomputer. Therefore, disclosed is a method for the autonomous vehicle to transmit an emergency message with sensor data to a nearby access point in 5G or 6G, and the access point can forward the data to a supercomputer trained in collision avoidance. The supercomputer, millions or billions of times faster than vehicle computers, explores many sequences of actions and selects the one most likely to avoid the collision or if unavoidable, the sequence of actions that results in the least harm. Again using an exclusive channel, the supercomputer and the access point can relay the selected sequence to the autonomous vehicle, for immediate collision avoidance or harm minimization.

Abstract: In 5G-Advanced and especially 6G, a primary concern is the increase in message faulting due to higher pathloss and phase noise at FR2 frequencies. Current methods for dealing with faults include packing the message with bulky error-correction (FEC) bits which are often ineffective, or automatically requesting a costly retransmission. As a substantially better alternative, the receiver may identify the specific fault locations and attempt an immediate repair by testing the modulation quality of each message element. For example, for a QAM-modulated message, the receiver can measure the I and Q branch deviations relative to predetermined levels, and the message element(s) with largest deviations is/are likely faulted. Alternatively, if the message is advantageously modulated according to the waveform amplitude and phase, the receiver can determine the amplitude and phase deviations relative to predetermined values. An AI model can greatly assist in the fault localization and in finding the corrected values.