Downlink Frequency Hopping With UE Skip Signals in Unlicensed Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in improving channel access and reducing interference and power consumption in unlicensed frequency bands, especially when using frequency hopping techniques.
Innovation Solution
Implementing DL and UL frequency hopping patterns with gap frequencies to reduce interference and allowing identified UEs to stay on an anchor channel during certain periods, reducing power consumption and enabling efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency hopping is implemented in unlicensed bands, then channel access is improved and interference is reduced, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of frequency hopping by introducing skip indicators that dynamically control whether to hop or stay on current channel. This allows the system to adapt between frequency hopping and channel staying based on traffic conditions, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The hopping pattern is made dynamic through skip indicators received from the base station. UEs can switch between hopping and non-hopping modes based on real-time skip indicator signals, allowing the system to optimize between reliability improvement and complexity reduction depending on current network conditions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frequency hopping is implemented in unlicensed bands, then interference is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous frequency hopping, the patent applies partial action by using skip indicators to determine when hopping should occur. UEs perform frequency hopping only when skip indicators indicate it is necessary, rather than hopping on every transmission opportunity, thus reducing power consumption while still achieving interference reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic evaluation of hopping necessity through skip indicator signals from the base station. UEs periodically check skip indicators to determine whether to hop or stay, creating a rhythm of hopping actions that balances interference reduction with power conservation
3Reliability
If UEs continuously hop between anchor channel and DL hopping channels, then channel access is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decision-making element from continuous hopping by introducing skip indicators that tell UEs when to skip hopping. This separates the mandatory channel access function from the optional frequency hopping function, allowing UEs to remain on anchor channels longer and reduce power consumption while maintaining reliable channel access when needed
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for narrowband communications using frequency hopping. In some implementations, a user equipment (UE) may receive a discovery reference signal (DRS) including a skipping signal identifying one or more UEs, may stay on an anchor channel when the skipping signal identifies the UE, and may switch from the anchor channel to a first downlink (DL) hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern when the signal does not identify the UE. In some other implementations, a base station (BS) may be configured to output a DRS including a skipping signal identifying one or more UEs, output a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first DL hopping channel of a DL frequency hopping pattern, and output DL data on the first DL hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.