CUBS Generation for Uplink Channel Reservation in Unlicensed Spectrum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands for uplink transmissions due to inadequate methods for channel reservation and power management, leading to suboptimal data transmission capacity.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves generating a Channel Usage Beacon Signal (CUBS) based on scheduled uplink transmissions, matching its bandwidth and power to the scheduled transmission, and duplicating portions of the uplink transmission, to effectively reserve channels in the unlicensed band before actual data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transmitting apparatus performs LBT procedure and transmits CUBS to reserve the channel in unlicensed band, then channel availability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional signaling overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel availabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the CUBS transmission with the uplink data transmission by having the wireless device transmit both the beacon signal and data payload together in the same time-frequency resources. This merging eliminates the need for separate CUBS transmission, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining channel reservation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The uplink transmission is designed to serve dual purposes: carrying data payload and functioning as a channel reservation beacon signal. By making the data transmission universal (serving both data communication and channel reservation), the patent eliminates the need for dedicated CUBS signaling, thereby reducing device complexity and signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If CUBS is transmitted to reserve the channel before uplink transmission, then channel reservation reliability is improved, but data transmission capacity is reduced due to additional time overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel reservationVSAvoiddata transmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the channel reservation function with the data transmission function by transmitting both simultaneously in the same uplink resources. This eliminates the sequential overhead where CUBS would be transmitted separately before data, thereby improving data transmission capacity while maintaining reliable channel reservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating CUBS transmission with continuous uplink data transmission, the patent ensures that the channel reservation action does not interrupt or pause the data flow. The useful action of data transmission continues uninterrupted while simultaneously achieving channel reservation, thus maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If CUBS bandwidth is increased to improve channel reservation effectiveness, then channel occupancy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel occupancyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The uplink data transmission is designed to simultaneously serve as the CUBS beacon signal. By making the data transmission universal, the patent achieves effective channel occupancy through the data payload itself without requiring additional power-consuming CUBS transmission at full beacon signal power levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the uplink transmission (power level, bandwidth allocation) to optimize the dual function of data communication and channel reservation. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective channel occupancy while controlling power consumption, avoiding the need for high-power dedicated CUBS transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3155857B1Channel usage beacon signal transmissions based on uplink transmissions over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3155857B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3155857B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3155857B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques and described for wireless communication. One method includes generating a channel usage beacon signal (CUBS) at a wireless device, wherein a waveform of the CUBS is based at least in part on a scheduled uplink transmission by the wireless device; and transmitting, by the wireless device, the CUBS over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to occupy the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band prior to the scheduled uplink transmission.