Dynamic Silent Period Management for TV White Space Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in TV White Space (TVWS), silent periods for spectrum management lead to reduced throughput and increased delay/jitter, affecting applications like VoIP, due to the need for buffering during measurement periods and the lack of effective methods for sensing silent period information across aggregated channels.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic silent period management system that schedules silent periods in a non-synchronized, channel-independent fashion, allowing for tailored silent period durations and periodicities based on channel type and quality, and coordinates these periods across nodes to maintain throughput and minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If silent periods are implemented for spectrum sensing in TVWS, then spectrum management and detection capability are improved, but throughput is reduced and delay/jitter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum sensing capabilityVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic silent period management where the access point dynamically adjusts silent period scheduling based on channel conditions, traffic load, and QoS requirements. This allows the system to optimize between spectrum sensing needs and throughput maintenance by adapting silent period frequency and duration to current network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic silent periods scheduled at specific intervals rather than continuous sensing. The access point configures periodic silent periods with adjustable periodicity and duration, allowing traffic to flow during non-silent periods while maintaining regular spectrum monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If silent periods are implemented for spectrum sensing, then detection capability is improved, but delay and jitter increase affecting time-sensitive applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradar detection capabilityVSAvoiddelay and jitter
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different silent period configurations to different channels based on their specific requirements. Channels with higher priority for time-sensitive applications can have reduced silent period frequency or shorter duration, while other channels maintain standard sensing intervals. This localized optimization preserves QoS for critical applications while maintaining overall spectrum management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts silent period parameters based on real-time traffic conditions and application requirements. When time-sensitive applications are detected, the access point can reduce silent period frequency or duration on affected channels to minimize delay and jitter impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If silent periods are implemented, then spectrum sensing is enabled, but buffer space requirements increase due to traffic buffering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum measurement capabilityVSAvoidbuffer space requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial silencing where not all channels are silenced simultaneously during spectrum sensing. The access point can select specific channels for silent period implementation while allowing other channels to continue normal operation, thereby reducing the amount of traffic that needs to be buffered

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Productivity

If non-synchronized channel-independent silent periods are implemented, then throughput is maintained and interference minimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidsilent period coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the silent period management into independent channel-specific configurations rather than unified synchronized scheduling. Each channel can have its own silent period timing and duration, allowing the access point to manage them independently based on individual channel conditions and requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2636266B1Silent period method and apparatus for dynamic spectrum management
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • EP2636266B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2636266B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2636266B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Described herein is a silent period method and apparatus for dynamic spectrum management. The methods include configuration and coordination of silent periods across an aggregated channel in a wireless communication system. A silent period management entity (SPME) dynamically determines silent period schedules for channels based on system and device information and assigns a silent period duration and periodicity for each silent period. The SPME may reconfigure the silent period schedule based on system delay, system throughput, channel quality or channel management events. A silent period interpretation entity (SPIE) receives and implements the silent period schedule. The silent periods for the channels may be synchronized, independent, or set-synchronized. Interfaces for communicating between the SPME, SPIE, a channel management function, a medium access control (MAC) quality of service (QoS) entity, a sensing/capabilities database, a MAC layer management entity (MLME) and a wireless receive/transmit unit (WTRU) MLME are described herein.