Directional Channel Reservation for Millimeter Wave Spectrum Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current channel reservation techniques in millimeter wave (mmW) systems often lead to over-silencing, preventing devices from transmitting even if they won't interfere with each other's communications, due to the lack of differentiation between directional and omnidirectional modes, resulting in inefficient spectrum usage.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves using directional and omnidirectional channel reservation requests with specific expected response time durations to allow devices to transmit without interfering with each other, by differentiating between channel reservation requests and responses based on transmission modes and signal strengths, enabling simultaneous transmissions where interference is not a concern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional channel reservation techniques are used in mmW systems, then channel protection is ensured, but spectrum utilization deteriorates due to over-silencing of non-interfering devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel protectionVSAvoidspectrum utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments channel reservation into two distinct modes: directional channel reservation for directional transmissions and omnidirectional channel reservation for omnidirectional transmissions. This segmentation allows the system to apply appropriate protection levels based on transmission type, preventing over-silencing of devices that would not cause interference, thereby improving spectrum utilization while maintaining necessary channel protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different reservation characteristics to different spatial regions. Directional reservations create localized protection zones only in the transmission direction, while omnidirectional reservations create broader protection zones. This allows non-interfering devices in other directions to transmit simultaneously, improving overall spectrum utilization without compromising the reliability of protected channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If directional and omnidirectional modes are not differentiated, then channel protection is simplified, but transmission efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary silencing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel reservation managementVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic behavior to channel reservation by implementing different expiration mechanisms for directional and omnidirectional reservations. Directional reservations expire after a shorter duration allowing faster channel reuse, while omnidirectional reservations maintain longer protection periods. This dynamic differentiation enables the system to balance protection needs with transmission efficiency, preventing unnecessary silencing while maintaining simplified management through standardized reservation protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3602821B1Channel reservation techniques for millimeter wave systems
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3602821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3602821B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3602821B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A first device may receive a channel reservation request from a second device, over a shared or unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, the channel reservation request including a first expected response time duration to receive a channel reservation response in response to the channel reservation request. The first wireless device may transmit a channel reservation response in response, and receive a directional transmission according to the channel reservation request. The second device may transmit a directional channel reservation request on a transmit beam, the directional channel reservation request including a first expected response time duration to receive a channel reservation response the first device in response to the directional channel reservation request. The second device may receive the channel reservation response during the first expected response time duration and transmit a directional transmission according to the directional channel reservation request.