Cellular Base Station Unlicensed Band Channel Contention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication technologies originally designed for licensed bands face interference challenges when used in unlicensed bands, affecting the transmission of existing WLAN systems, and there is a need for methods to perform data communication in unlicensed bands without such interference.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for performing communication in unlicensed bands by using channel contention to occupy channels, transmitting messages about usable time periods, and switching between different communication schemes to minimize interference, allowing cellular communication in unlicensed bands while reducing frequency usage costs and increasing data throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cellular communication is used in unlicensed bands, then frequency usage costs are reduced and data throughput is increased, but interference with WLAN systems occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidinterference with WLAN
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs channel sensing before transmitting cellular signals in unlicensed bands. By detecting whether the channel is idle or occupied by WLAN traffic beforehand, the system can determine appropriate transmission timing and power levels, thereby reducing interference while maintaining high data throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters based on real-time channel conditions. When WLAN traffic is detected, cellular transmission is postponed or power is reduced; when channel is idle, full-power transmission occurs. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maximizing throughput and minimizing interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If cellular communication uses unlicensed bands without channel sensing, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but interference control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission simplicityVSAvoidinterference control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A channel sensing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the cellular transmission system and the unlicensed band environment. This intermediary layer monitors WLAN activity and mediates transmission decisions, providing simple automated control that maintains ease of operation while improving interference control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If cellular base station transmits in unlicensed bands simultaneously with WLAN, then resource utilization is maximized, but collision probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcollision probability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs periodic channel sensing at defined intervals before and during transmission opportunities. This periodic monitoring allows the system to capture available unlicensed band resources while detecting WLAN activity patterns, thereby maximizing resource utilization while maintaining low collision probability through rhythmically spaced transmission attempts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2976909B1Method and apparatus for performing communication in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2976909B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2976909B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP2976909B1 patent drawingFigure 3c~3d

AI summary

A method for performing communication by a cellular base station in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes performing channel contention for occupying a channel of an unlicensed band, if the channel of the unlicensed band is occupied, the cellular base station transmits a first message including information about a time period in which the channel of the unlicensed band is usable, to at least one first User Equipment (UE) that performs communication in the channel of the unlicensed band using a first communication scheme, and communicating with a second UE using a second communication scheme different from the first communication scheme in the channel of the unlicensed band during a time period corresponding to the time period information. The second communication scheme corresponds to a cellular communication scheme, and the first message is transmitted to the at least one first UE based on the first communication scheme.