Unlicensed Channel Occupancy Time Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently supporting a wide range of devices with diverse data traffic profiles, particularly in transmitting low latency data in unlicensed frequency bands, which can lead to interference and inefficient use of radio resources.
Innovation Solution
A method where communications devices and infrastructure equipment determine unused portions of unlicensed channel occupancy time and release them for use by other devices, allowing for dynamic channel access and reducing latency by optimizing the use of shared communications resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices transmit data in unlicensed frequency bands using fixed frame periods, then network coverage and service support are improved, but radio resource efficiency deteriorates due to unused channel occupancy time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel access by allowing devices to release unused portions of their channel occupancy time (COT) and enabling other devices to seize these released resources. This transforms the static fixed frame period structure into a dynamic system where channel resources can be reallocated based on actual transmission needs, improving radio resource efficiency while maintaining support for diverse traffic profiles.
2Productivity
If devices acquire channel occupancy time for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but transmission latency worsens when the data transmission time is less than the allocated COT duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to discard (release) unused portions of their allocated channel occupancy time and allows other devices to recover these released resources for immediate use. This mechanism eliminates the waste of remaining COT time when data transmission is completed early, reducing transmission latency for subsequent devices that can seize the released resources without waiting for the next fixed frame period.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple devices share unlicensed channel resources, then network capacity is improved, but interference increases leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where devices monitor the channel for released COT resources and provide feedback by seizing available resources when their transmission needs arise. This coordinated access based on real-time channel conditions and release signals from other devices reduces random collisions and interference compared to independent access attempts, thereby improving transmission reliability while maintaining high network capacity through efficient resource sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a communications device comprises determining that the communications device can transmit data via communications resources of an unlicensed channel of a wireless access interface, which is shared in time with at least one of an infrastructure equipment of a wireless communications network and one or more other communications devices which can also transmit in the unlicensed channel. The transmission of the data by the communications device is arranged in time according to a fixed frame period (FFP) including a channel occupancy time (COT) for transmitting the data and an idle period. The communications device can transmit the data on the unlicensed channel by detecting that none of the infrastructure equipment and the one or more other communications devices are transmitting on the unlicensed channel as part of a contentious channel access phase.