Dynamic Contention Window for 5G Unlicensed Channel Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing channel access procedures in unlicensed bands, particularly in adapting contention windows based on signal reception results to optimize radio resource usage for effective channel access.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a base station or terminal to perform channel access in an unlicensed band by managing or changing the contention window size based on signal reception results, allowing efficient use of radio resources through the channel access procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the contention window size is increased to reduce collision probability in unlicensed band, then channel access reliability is improved, but channel access delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access reliabilityVSAvoidchannel access delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The contention window size is made dynamic rather than fixed. The base station adjusts the contention window size adaptively based on channel conditions and signal reception results (ACK/NACK feedback), allowing the system to optimize between reliability and delay by expanding the window when collisions are detected and contracting it when channel conditions are good

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors signal reception results (ACK/NACK) from terminals and uses this information to adjust the contention window size. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond to actual channel conditions and optimize channel access parameters in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the contention window size is decreased to reduce channel access delay, then channel access speed is improved, but collision probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access speedVSAvoidchannel access reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contention window size is dynamically adjusted based on observed channel conditions and collision patterns. When channel access speed is prioritized and conditions permit, the window size is reduced; when collisions are detected, the window size is increased to restore reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the contention window parameter adaptively based on channel occupancy detection and signal reception results. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize the trade-off between access speed and collision probability according to actual unlicensed band conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3654722B1Method and apparatus for channel access in unlicensed band in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3654722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3654722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3654722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are: a communication technique for merging, with IoT technology, a 5G communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than that of a 4G system; and a system therefor. The present disclosure can be applied to intelligent services (for example, smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, healthcare, digital education, retail, security, and safety-related services, and the like) on the basis of 5G communication technology and an IoT-related technology. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for channel access in a wireless communication system operating in an unlicensed band. More particularly, disclosed are a method by which a node for transmitting a signal through an unlicensed band determines a channel occupation state of the unlicensed band, and a method for transmitting the signal to the unlicensed band according to the determined channel occupation state of the unlicensed band.