Beam-Based Channel Access Countdown for 5G NR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing channel access for beam-based directional transmissions, particularly in determining channel availability and simplifying the channel access countdown procedure in 5G NR systems, which affects the performance and flexibility of spectral sharing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a beam-based channel access countdown procedure that allows a single channel sensing beam to encompass multiple transmit beams, enabling determination of channel availability and simplifying the countdown process by using parameters like contention window size, randomly selected values, and defer periods, while allowing for flexibility in NR systems through techniques like channel sensing and counter value management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate channel access countdown procedure is performed for each transmit beam, then channel availability determination is thorough and reliable, but the complexity of the channel access procedure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple channel access countdown procedures into a single unified procedure. Specifically, a first set of transmit beams shares a first channel access countdown procedure, while a second set of transmit beams shares a second channel access countdown procedure. This consolidation reduces the overall complexity of the channel access procedure while maintaining reliable channel availability determination through the use of beam-specific sensing beams that monitor channel conditions for each beam group.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channel sensing beams are used to cover different transmit beams, then channel access flexibility is improved, but the time required for channel access countdown increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of transmit beams into multiple groups, where each group is associated with a specific channel sensing beam and a shared channel access countdown procedure. This segmentation allows the system to perform channel access procedures more efficiently by grouping beams that can share the same countdown process, thereby reducing the total time required while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to different channel conditions through beam-specific sensing.
3Productivity
If channel access parameters are determined for each transmit beam individually, then transmission performance is optimized, but the overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal parameter determination approach where channel access parameters such as contention window size, defer period, and priority levels are determined at a higher level and applied across groups of transmit beams. This multi-functional parameter management reduces overhead and processing complexity while still optimizing transmission performance by allowing beam-specific adjustments within the grouped structure, where each group can have its own shared parameters tailored to its channel characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for a beam-based channel access countdown procedure. In one aspect, a channel sensing beam may be permitted to include one or more transmit beams and, thus, may differ from a transmit beam that is to be used for a transmission. As such, defining a manner in which a channel access countdown procedure is performed is desirable. Some aspects described herein provide techniques and apparatus for a beam-based channel access countdown procedure. In some aspects, the systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein provide a beam-based channel access countdown procedure that allows a single channel sensing beam, including multiple transmit beams, to be utilized in association with determining channel availability for the multiple transmit beams, thereby improving performance of beam-based directional transmissions.