Channel Occupancy Measurement Configuration for 5G NR Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, particularly in 5G New Radio (NR) systems, channel occupancy measurement in unlicensed spectrum is challenging due to the Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) mechanism, which affects the accuracy of interference strength assessment and load balancing, especially when multiple sub-bands or channels are involved, leading to suboptimal handover decisions and resource management.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining and transmitting channel measurement configurations to user equipment (UE) to measure channel occupancy (CO) across multiple channels, allowing for finer granularity in CO measurements, and using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling to configure UE to report CO results, which can trigger handovers or update Radio Resource Management (RRM) configurations based on channel-specific data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If channel occupancy measurement is performed across multiple channels with fine granularity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wideband carrier into multiple independent channels (e.g., 5 channels in a 100MHz carrier) and performs separate channel occupancy measurements for each channel. This segmentation enables fine-grained measurement precision while managing complexity through structured configuration parameters for each channel including frequency offsets, subcarrier spacings, and measurement bandwidths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multiple configurable parameters to control the measurement process including frequencyOffset, subcarrierSpacing, measurementBandwidth, and resourceElementOffset. These parameter changes allow flexible adaptation of measurement configurations to different channel conditions and requirements, achieving high precision measurements while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized parameter sets.
2Reliability
If detailed channel-specific measurement configurations are implemented, then reliability of handover decisions is improved, but information processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing channel-specific measurement configurations tailored to each individual channel's characteristics. Each channel receives customized measurement parameters including frequency offsets, subcarrier spacings, and bandwidth configurations matched to its specific properties. This localized approach improves handover decision reliability by considering channel-specific conditions while managing information overhead through efficient parameter representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring measurement configurations for multiple channels before handover decisions are needed. The network node provides measurement configurations including resource element offsets and measurement bandwidths in advance, allowing the user equipment to perform measurements efficiently when needed. This preliminary configuration reduces signaling overhead during actual handover events while maintaining high decision reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bandwidth parts are monitored for channel occupancy, then adaptability of resource management is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the user equipment to dynamically switch between monitoring different bandwidth parts based on channel conditions and network requirements. The measurement configuration enables flexible activation and deactivation of monitoring for different bandwidth parts, allowing the device to adapt its power consumption to actual needs. This dynamic approach improves resource management adaptability while controlling energy usage through selective monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for channel occupancy measurement. The method comprises determining at least one channel measurement configuration for a terminal device. The method further comprises transmitting the at least one channel measurement configuration to the terminal device. The channel measurement configuration comprises configuring the terminal device to measure a channel occupancy of at least one channel. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also provide an apparatus for channel occupancy measurement.