Access Point Unlicensed Carrier Selection via Discovery Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) systems lack effective means to recognize neighboring access points and prioritize unlicensed carrier selection, leading to inefficient data transmission and interference with other systems like WiFi.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for an access point to select unlicensed carriers based on energy detection, carrier sensing, and measurement results, where the access point sends a discovery signal and receives feedback from user equipment to determine the best carrier resources, considering factors like energy thresholds, neighboring access points, and load, to optimize channel selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the LAA access point uses only energy detection and carrier sensing for carrier selection, then the detection process is simple, but the access point cannot recognize neighboring access points and cannot determine carrier applicability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier selection accuracyVSAvoiddetection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces discovery signals as an intermediary mechanism that enables LAA access points to indirectly detect and recognize neighboring access points. Instead of direct detection between access points, the system uses UE as intermediaries to measure and report discovery signals from neighboring LAA access points and WiFi access points, providing comprehensive carrier selection information without requiring complex direct detection capabilities at the access point

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UE measures discovery signals on unlicensed carriers and reports measurement results back to the LAA access point. This feedback loop provides the access point with information about neighboring access points and carrier conditions, enabling informed carrier selection decisions while keeping the access point's detection mechanism relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the LAA access point scans and monitors multiple unlicensed carriers to find the cleanest carrier, then the carrier selection comprehensiveness is improved, but the time and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier selection qualityVSAvoidcarrier scanning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having UE perform discovery signal measurements and carrier monitoring in advance before the LAA access point needs to select a carrier. The UE continuously measures discovery signals from neighboring access points and reports findings, so when carrier selection is needed, the access point already has up-to-date information about carrier conditions, reducing the time required for comprehensive scanning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling UE to autonomously perform carrier measurements and monitoring tasks without requiring the LAA access point to directly scan each carrier. The UE independently measures discovery signals, detects neighboring access points, and provides measurement results, freeing the access point from time-consuming direct scanning operations while maintaining comprehensive carrier assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the LAA access point cannot distinguish between different types of access points, then the detection mechanism is simple, but the system cannot prioritize carriers based on neighboring access point presence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier prioritization capabilityVSAvoidaccess point recognition difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses discovery signals as distinctive markers that enable differentiation between LAA access points and WiFi access points. By configuring discovery signals with specific characteristics and having UE measure these signals, the system can identify the type of neighboring access point based on the detected signal properties, enabling carrier prioritization based on access point type without requiring complex recognition mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3217589B1Carrier selection method and apparatus, access point and storage medium
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 ZTE CORP
  • EP3217589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3217589B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3217589B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure discloses a carrier selecting method and device, an access point and a storage medium. The method includes that: an access point selects unlicensed carriers satisfying a first condition from unlicensed carriers as a first carrier set; sends a discovery signal on all unlicensed carriers in the first carrier set; and the access point receives a measurement result performed by a user equipment on all the unlicensed carriers in the first carrier set, and selects unlicensed carriers satisfying a second condition from the first carrier set based on the measurement result as carrier resources of the access point.