Energy Pattern Signal for Inter-Operator Coordination in Unlicensed Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, especially in Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) systems, operators face challenges in coordinating data transmission on unlicensed frequency bands due to conflicts between different operators, where existing recognition methods are inefficient and prone to interference, limiting channel utilization and accurate information exchange.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing an energy pattern signal on the time domain-frequency domain plane for inter-operator coordination, where a channel detecting unit identifies idle channels and broadcasts an inter-operator coordination signal before data transmission, enabling information interaction between operators through flag and link information patterns, thereby avoiding conflicts and improving channel utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) are used to carry PLMN ID for operator recognition, then operator identification is enabled, but signal detection becomes complex and prone to interference due to synchronization and alignment issues between different operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operator recognition function from traditional reference signals and implements it through dedicated energy pattern signals with specific time-frequency structures. These segmented signals use distinct comb patterns and resource element allocations that simplify detection while maintaining reliable operator identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy pattern signals as intermediary elements between operators for coordination and recognition. These intermediary signals carry operator identification information in a simplified format that reduces detection complexity compared to using traditional reference signals directly for this purpose.
2Reliability
If operators repeatedly send PLMN IDs to ensure recognition between operators, then operator recognition reliability improves, but channel utilization rate decreases due to redundant transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs operator recognition actions preliminarily through energy pattern signals before actual data transmission begins. By establishing operator identification and coordination in advance using these dedicated signals, the system avoids the need for repeated PLMN ID transmissions during data communication, thereby improving channel utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If licensed frequency band coordination schemes are applied to unlicensed frequency bands, then inter-operator coordination framework is established, but the schemes are not directly applicable due to different spectrum availability and regulatory constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing energy pattern signals with specific characteristics tailored for unlicensed frequency bands. The time-frequency structures, comb patterns, and resource element allocations are locally optimized for LAA scenarios rather than directly applying licensed band coordination schemes, ensuring reliability in the specific unlicensed band context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of coordination signals when transitioning from licensed to unlicensed bands. This includes modifying frequency offsets, time synchronization requirements, and signal structure parameters to match the specific characteristics and regulatory constraints of unlicensed frequency bands, thereby maintaining coordination effectiveness.
4Productivity
If dynamic frequency selection and channel selection algorithms are used to reduce operator conflicts, then channel utilization improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple algorithms and computations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conflict resolution function from complex dynamic frequency selection algorithms and implements it through simplified energy pattern signal interactions. By taking out the essential coordination need and addressing it through dedicated recognition signals, the system achieves channel utilization improvement without requiring sophisticated multi-algorithm approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A device at a transmitting side includes a channel detection unit configured to detect whether a transmitting-end channel in an unlicensed frequency band is idle; and a coordination unit configured to enable, if the transmitting-end channel is idle, the transmitting side to broadcast an inter-operator coordination signal before transmitting a data stream, so as to realize information interaction between apparatuses of different operators, wherein the inter-operator coordination signal implements, by means of presence/absence of energy in a specified frequency band, an energy pattern signal on a time-frequency domain plane for the information interaction between the apparatuses of different operators. By enabling inter-operator information interaction in an unlicensed frequency band by means of an energy pattern signal, the embodiments of the present disclosure eliminate difficulties of reception and demodulation for signal detection between apparatuses of different operators, thus effectively realizing coordination between the apparatuses of different operators, and improving system performance.