Dynamic Channel Assessment Mode for Unlicensed Band Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Current channel access protocols in unlicensed radio bands, such as the 5 GHz band used by Wi-Fi, are inefficient due to high packet collision probabilities and varying channel utilization, limiting successful transmissions, especially when multiple radio access technologies coexist.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a channel assessment mode that dynamically activates an aggressive channel access scheme based on triggering events like packet collision probability, channel utilization, and data throughput, allowing devices to initiate transmission at the end of a data packet using a probability threshold comparison, ensuring efficient channel access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If LBT protocol is used for channel assessment in unlicensed bands, then channel access reliability is improved, but transmission probability and productivity deteriorate significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission probability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel access by transitioning between two modes: LBT mode for reliable channel assessment and aggressive mode for high-probability transmission. The system dynamically switches between these modes based on channel conditions, allowing it to adapt reliability and transmission probability to current network requirements rather than using a fixed protocol

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the channel access parameter by introducing an aggressive mode that transmits without full LBT procedure when certain conditions are met. This parameter change allows the system to bypass the conservative LBT timing requirements under specific circumstances, thereby increasing transmission probability while maintaining acceptable reliability through selective mode switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radio access technologies coexist in unlicensed bands, then spectrum utilization and adaptability are improved, but packet collision probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidpacket collision probability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of multiple technologies coexisting (which causes collisions) into a benefit by using the same unlicensed spectrum. The aggressive mode allows cellular devices to exploit unused Wi-Fi channel capacity, turning potential conflict into opportunity for efficient spectrum sharing and increased overall utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If Wi-Fi devices transmit without LBT in unlicensed bands, then transmission speed and productivity are improved, but channel access reliability and fairness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidchannel access reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel access by transitioning between two modes: LBT mode for reliable channel assessment and aggressive mode for high-probability transmission. The system dynamically switches between these modes based on channel conditions, allowing it to adapt reliability and transmission probability to current network requirements rather than using a fixed protocol

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the channel access parameter by introducing an aggressive mode that transmits without full LBT procedure when certain conditions are met. This parameter change allows the system to bypass the conservative LBT timing requirements under specific circumstances, thereby increasing transmission probability while maintaining acceptable reliability through selective mode switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11510247B2Efficient channel access

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Embodiments provide efficient channel access utilizing a channel assessment mode and include determining that a predetermined condition exists on a radio bandwidth (e.g., unlicensed band); and, in response to determining that the predetermined condition exists on the radio bandwidth, initiating the channel assessment mode on the mobile device, where the channel assessment mode is configured to implement a channel assessment scheme configured for efficiently accessing a channel on the radio bandwidth. Some embodiments monitor the radio bandwidth for one or more triggering events indicative of interference; and detect at least one of the one or more triggering events indicative of interference on the radio bandwidth in order to determine the predetermined condition exists. These triggering events may include determining a current/historic packet collision probability is above a threshold, detecting signals that identify another radio access system, detecting a channel utilization ratio above a threshold, and determining a current/historic data throughput.