Multi-Channel Contention Counter Synchronization for Wireless Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in synchronizing and desynchronizing contention for access to multiple channels in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, affecting transmission bandwidth and fairness among devices.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a plurality of counters associated with each channel, where contention is synchronized or desynchronized based on channel energy measurements, allowing for synchronized or desynchronized access to multiple channels to maximize bandwidth or fairness depending on the contention scenario.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If counters are synchronized to maximize transmission bandwidth, then a single device can access all channels in parallel, but fairness among multiple devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic counter synchronization control where the system can switch between synchronized and desynchronized modes based on channel conditions and contention scenarios. When channel conditions are good and a single device dominates, counters are synchronized to maximize bandwidth. When multiple devices contend, counters are desynchronized to improve fairness. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the synchronization parameter (counter initialization values and decrement timing) based on the contention scenario. In synchronized mode, all counters start at the same value and decrement together. In desynchronized mode, counters start at different values or decrement at different rates. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for either bandwidth or fairness depending on conditions.
2Reliability
If counters are desynchronized to improve fairness among devices, then multiple devices can access different channels concurrently, but transmission bandwidth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts counter synchronization based on detected channel conditions and contention levels. When multiple devices are detected contending for channels, the system switches to desynchronized mode to distribute channel access fairly. When contention decreases, it switches back to synchronized mode to maximize bandwidth utilization. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between fairness and bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic evaluation of channel conditions and contention scenarios to determine whether to synchronize or desynchronize counters. The system periodically checks channel energy levels and access patterns, then adjusts synchronization accordingly. This periodic adaptation allows the system to balance fairness and bandwidth over time.
3Reliability
If eCCA procedures are performed for each channel independently, then access fairness is improved, but the complexity of channel access management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent eCCA procedures into a coordinated multi-channel contention framework. Instead of treating each channel completely independently, the system uses a set of correlated counters that can be synchronized or desynchronized as a group. This merging reduces management complexity while maintaining fairness through the counter coordination mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal counter management system that handles multiple channels through a single coordinated mechanism. The same set of counters serves all channels, and the same synchronization/desynchronization logic applies regardless of the number of channels. This multi-functional approach simplifies complexity compared to maintaining separate eCCA procedures for each channel.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described for wireless communication. One method includes identifying a plurality of counters used to contend for access to a plurality of channels of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Each of the plurality of counters is associated with a respective channel of the plurality of channels of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The method also includes measuring at least one channel of the plurality of channels of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The measuring is associated with a contention for access to the at least one channel of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The method also includes synchronizing or desynchronizing at least a subset of the plurality of counters based at least in part on the measuring.