Direction-Based LBT Channel Occupancy Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LBT mechanisms, particularly direction-based LBT, lack channel occupancy time indication, leading to inefficient and inaccurate downlink measurements in unlicensed spectrum environments, resulting in unnecessary measurements and potential failures.
Innovation Solution
Implement direction-based channel occupancy indication information to guide terminal devices on when to perform downlink measurements and when to skip them based on channel occupancy status, using beam-specific or cell-specific indications to enhance measurement efficiency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direction-based LBT is used to monitor channel in specific directions, then channel access efficiency is improved, but channel occupancy indication is not provided leading to measurement inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel monitoring function by direction, where the terminal device performs downlink measurements only in directions where the network device has successfully obtained channel occupancy. This is achieved through receiving first indication information that specifies directional channel occupancy status, allowing the terminal to divide measurement efforts across different spatial directions based on actual channel conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device performs preliminary channel occupancy detection in specific directions before downlink transmission, and communicates this information to the terminal device through first indication information. This preliminary action allows the terminal to pre-determine which directions require measurement, avoiding wasted measurement attempts in directions where the channel is occupied by other transmissions.
2Measurement precision
If downlink measurement is performed continuously, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but unnecessary measurements increase power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the downlink measurement process dynamic by adjusting measurement behavior based on real-time channel occupancy status. The terminal device dynamically switches between performing measurements and skipping measurements based on the first indication information received from the network device, which reflects current directional channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between measurement accuracy and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device uses the first indication information about channel occupancy to self-determine whether downlink measurements are necessary in specific directions. By autonomously deciding to skip measurements when the channel is occupied, the terminal device reduces unnecessary power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy when needed, without requiring continuous network control commands.
3Reliability
If omnidirectional LBT is used to ensure full channel coverage, then channel detection completeness is improved, but direction-based transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making channel detection and measurement behavior direction-specific rather than uniform across all directions. The terminal device performs downlink measurements only in directions where the network device has local channel access (non-occupied directions), as indicated by the first indication information. This localized approach maintains reliability for directional transmissions while improving overall system efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and a related apparatus. The method includes: A terminal device receives first indication information sent by a network device. When the first indication information indicates a channel occupancy time of the network device, if the network device configures a corresponding downlink resource (for example, a downlink transmit beam or a serving cell) for the terminal device, the terminal device performs downlink measurement and/or receives downlink data within the channel occupancy time. When the first indication information indicates a channel unoccupied time of the network device, within the channel unoccupied time, the terminal device skips performing downlink measurement, skips receiving the downlink data, skips sending a HARQ feedback corresponding to the downlink data, or determines that a downlink measurement result is invalid. In embodiments of this application, unnecessary measurement can be reduced, a downlink measurement failure caused because a network side does not preempt a channel can be excluded, and measurement efficiency and accuracy of a measurement result can be improved.