Beamformed Random Access Strategy Using Measurement Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
In beamformed communications systems, the listen-before-talk procedure is insufficient in preventing transmission collisions due to directional communications beams, leading to potential interference with ongoing transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize signal measurement information and communications beam scheduling information to determine an access strategy for transmitting devices, allowing them to randomly access shared communications channels without causing undue interference, by providing access parameters such as contention window sizes and listen-before-talk thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If listen-before-talk procedure is used for random access, then channel access coordination is provided, but transmission collisions cannot be prevented due to directional communications beams
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary beam scheduling and signal measurement before random access attempts. The access node determines beam schedules and provides this information to UEs in advance, allowing UEs to predict when beams will be active and adjust their access attempts accordingly, preventing collisions before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report signal measurements to the access node, and the access node provides beam scheduling information back to UEs. This closed-loop feedback enables UEs to adapt their random access strategy based on current beam usage and interference conditions
2Reliability
If beamforming is used to overcome high pathloss, then communication reliability is improved, but transmission collisions occur due to insufficient channel access coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts random access parameters based on beam scheduling conditions. UEs modify their access behavior in real-time according to the scheduled beam usage, making the access mechanism adaptive to changing directional transmission patterns rather than using fixed protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes access parameters such as contention window sizes and transmission timing based on beam scheduling information. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to beam usage patterns, the system optimizes access probability while avoiding periods of high interference
3Adaptability or versatility
If random access is allowed without beam scheduling information, then access flexibility is maintained, but interference with ongoing transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access node provides beam scheduling information to UEs before random access attempts occur. This preliminary information allows UEs to make informed access decisions while maintaining the flexibility of random access, by selecting appropriate timing and beams based on scheduled information rather than rigid protocols
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for communicating with an access node includes receiving measurement table information from the access node, wherein the measurement table information is derived from measurements of communications channels between access nodes and user equipments (UEs) served by the access nodes, determining an access strategy and an associated access parameter for a shared communications channel in accordance with the measurement table information, and transmitting an uplink transmission on the shared communications channel in accordance with the associated access parameter after obtaining access to the shared communications channel.