Wireless Device Bandwidth Prioritization in Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide unlicensed radio frequency bands in wireless communications systems pose challenges with existing Listen Before Talk (LBT) algorithms, as they require ensuring hundreds of MHz are free for transmission, and full bandwidth sensing does not provide accurate information on interfering energy, limiting efficient use of unlicensed spectrum.
Innovation Solution
A method where a wireless communications device receives an indication from a network node to prioritize among multiple radio frequency bandwidth parts within an unlicensed band, allowing optimized access without prior prioritization from the network, reducing overhead signaling and radio access resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full bandwidth sensing is performed for Listen Before Talk in wide unlicensed bands, then channel access compliance is ensured, but measurement precision of interfering energy is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide unlicensed bandwidth into multiple sub-bands or frequency segments. Instead of sensing the entire bandwidth uniformly, the device performs LBT on individual sub-bands, allowing precise detection of interfering energy in specific frequency regions while maintaining overall channel access compliance.
2Quantity of substance
If the entire unlicensed bandwidth is cleared for transmission, then available transmission bandwidth is maximized, but loss of time for channel access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing transmission on only the sub-bands that are clear of interference, rather than requiring the entire bandwidth to be free. This enables the device to start transmitting immediately on available sub-bands while potentially expanding to use more bandwidth later, reducing access delay while still maximizing usable transmission capacity.
3Productivity
If centralized prioritization control is implemented by the network, then resource allocation is optimized, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to autonomously perform prioritization decisions based on local observations of interference and channel conditions. Each device independently determines which sub-bands to access and in what priority order, eliminating the need for complex centralized control signaling while maintaining efficient spectrum usage through distributed intelligence.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a wireless communications device for accessing an unlicensed radio frequency band. The wireless communications device is configured to operate in the unlicensed radio frequency band. The unlicensed radio frequency band comprises a plurality of radio frequency bandwidth parts and is used by a wireless communications network comprising a network node. The wireless communications device receives, from the network node, an indication enabling the wireless communications device to make a prioritization among the plurality of radio frequency bandwidth parts. The wireless communications device accesses the unlicensed radio frequency band in accordance with the prioritization.