Wireless Channel Occupancy Sharing for Low-Latency Unlicensed Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies and latency issues in accessing unlicensed frequency bands due to channel detection processes like Listen Before Talk (LBT), particularly in scenarios requiring low latency such as Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC), and in Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) architectures where multiple UEs share the same resources.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves sharing Channel Occupancy Time (COT) among UEs through mechanisms like PSCCH, UCI, and SCI, allowing UEs to access shared spectrum resources without full channel detection, thereby reducing latency and improving resource utilization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wireless communication systems are used, then basic communication functionality is provided, but security vulnerabilities exist due to lack of physical layer security mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments security mechanisms into two layers: physical layer security (PLS) using channel reciprocity and signal processing techniques, and higher-layer security protocols. This segmentation allows security to be implemented at the most fundamental level without requiring complete redesign of the entire communication system, thus improving security while controlling overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces channel reciprocity verification as an intermediary mechanism between transmitter and receiver. By verifying that channel estimates are reciprocal (H_uplink ≈ H_downlink), the system creates a trusted foundation for security operations without requiring complex cryptographic key exchange protocols, thereby improving security with moderate complexity addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If channel estimation is performed for security verification, then security reliability is improved, but communication time is increased due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity verification accuracyVSAvoidcommunication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs channel estimation during the normal uplink and downlink communication phases before security verification is needed. By having channel estimates readily available from routine operations, the system avoids performing separate dedicated estimation procedures, thus improving security verification accuracy without significant additional communication time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous channel estimation as part of normal communication operations rather than interrupting communication for separate verification procedures. The channel reciprocity check is performed continuously on existing estimates, ensuring security verification accuracy while maintaining uninterrupted communication flow and minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If channel reciprocity is verified for security, then security against impersonation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional verification mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpersonation resistanceVSAvoidverification mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or cryptographic verification mechanisms with a mathematical property check - verifying that H_uplink ≈ H_downlink. This substitution uses the inherent physical property of channel reciprocity in TDD systems, providing strong impersonation resistance through simple matrix comparison rather than complex verification protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the channel itself to verify security - the physical channel's reciprocal property serves as its own verification mechanism. By checking whether the channel estimates satisfy H_uplink ≈ H_downlink, the system performs self-verification without requiring external authentication servers or complex challenge-response protocols, thus improving impersonation resistance while keeping verification mechanism complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3817428B1Electronic device and method for wireless communication and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3817428B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3817428B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3817428B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a method for wireless communication and a computer-readable storage medium. An electronic device comprising: a processing circuit configured to: generate, where a user equipment accesses an unauthorized frequency band successfully, an indication representing whether sharing a channel occupancy time of the user equipment with other user equipment is permitted; and send the indication to a base station or the other user equipment.