Device-to-Device Offloading to Unlicensed Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current device-to-device communication technologies face inefficiencies in spectrum usage as they compete for licensed band resources, leading to potential interference with cellular networks and suboptimal resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable devices to autonomously offload device-to-device communication from licensed bands to unlicensed bands by determining availability of unlicensed band resources and initiating a setup for communication on those bands, while requesting the cellular network to stop scheduling resources for the licensed band communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device-to-device communication uses licensed band resources, then communication reliability is maintained, but spectrum usage efficiency deteriorates due to interference with cellular networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication spectrum into licensed bands for control signaling and unlicensed bands for data communication. By dividing the spectrum usage, the system maintains reliable control communication on licensed bands while improving spectrum efficiency by utilizing unlicensed bands for data transfer, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and spectrum usage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-band operation to multi-band operation by adding the unlicensed band dimension. This allows device-to-device communication to operate simultaneously on both licensed and unlicensed bands, enabling the system to maintain reliability on licensed bands while achieving better spectrum efficiency through unlicensed band utilization.
2Productivity
If device-to-device communication operates on unlicensed bands, then spectrum usage efficiency improves, but communication reliability may deteriorate due to resource availability uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by first determining unlicensed band resource availability before initiating data communication. The device checks for available resources and only establishes unlicensed band communication when resources are confirmed available, thereby maintaining communication reliability while still achieving spectrum efficiency improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource selection where the system can flexibly switch between licensed and unlicensed bands based on real-time conditions. The device dynamically determines whether to use unlicensed bands by assessing resource availability, allowing the system to adapt to changing spectrum conditions and maintain reliable communication while maximizing spectrum efficiency.
3Reliability
If cellular network continues scheduling licensed band resources, then control signaling reliability is maintained, but overall system productivity deteriorates due to resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts data communication functionality from the licensed band and places it on the unlicensed band. By taking out data communication from the licensed spectrum, the system allows cellular networks to maintain control signaling reliability on licensed bands while eliminating resource waste, as unlicensed bands are utilized for data transfer instead of being idle or causing interference.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method comprises communicating, by a first device, with a second device, using a device-to-device communication on licensed band, determining, by the first device, whether unlicensed band resources are available, and if the unlicensed band resources are available, initiating, by the first device, a set up of a device-to-device communication on unlicensed band.