Fixed Frame Period Selection for UE-Initiated Uplink COT
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications networks, overlapping transmissions lead to interference due to the lack of efficient channel occupancy management, particularly in unlicensed spectrum where gNBs may not be aware of UE data availability, resulting in collisions and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing UE-initiated Channel Occupancy Time (COT) with selective fixed frame period (FFP) durations, allowing high-priority UEs to initiate COT at the beginning of a frame period, reducing collisions and enabling efficient UL transmission by ensuring non-overlapping resource allocation and COT sharing with the gNB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple UEs transmit uplink data simultaneously in unlicensed spectrum, then resource utilization increases, but interference and collisions occur due to overlapping transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The gNB performs downlink transmission and acquires channel occupancy before allowing UE uplink transmission. This preliminary action establishes a defined transmission order where the gNB first senses and occupies the channel, then grants uplink resources to UEs within that occupied time window, preventing simultaneous channel access conflicts
Solution Approach 2:
The gNB sends downlink control information (DCI) to UEs indicating the fixed frame period duration and channel occupancy status. This feedback mechanism allows UEs to adjust their uplink transmission timing based on the gNB's channel acquisition status, ensuring coordinated access and avoiding collisions
2Ease of operation
If the gNB schedules uplink transmissions without knowing UE data availability, then network control is maintained, but latency increases due to inefficient resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the fixed frame period duration based on actual channel conditions and UE data availability. The gNB can modify the FFP duration through DCI signaling, allowing the uplink transmission window to adapt to real-time traffic conditions, thus reducing latency when data is available while maintaining control when the channel is busy
Solution Approach 2:
The gNB performs preliminary channel sensing and acquisition before scheduling uplink transmissions. By acquiring channel occupancy in advance and notifying UEs of the available transmission window, the gNB enables UEs to transmit data immediately within the occupied period without waiting for subsequent scheduling opportunities, reducing latency
3Loss of time
If shorter fixed frame period durations are used, then latency for uplink transmission is reduced, but the time for channel sensing and acquisition decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic fixed frame periods with predetermined durations for channel sensing and uplink transmission. Each FFP contains a defined downlink occupation period followed by an uplink period, creating a regular, predictable pattern that ensures sufficient time for channel acquisition while maintaining low latency through consistent periodic opportunities for uplink transmission
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for selecting a fixed frame period operation for uplink transmission. One apparatus includes a processor and a receiver that receives a first configuration from a RAN node for a first FFP duration and receives-a second configuration from the RAN node for a second FFP duration, where the first FFP duration is different than the second FFP duration. The processor-selects a FFP duration for an UL transmission to be transmitted based on an entity acquiring a channel occupancy and controls a transmitter to transmit the UL transmission in the channel occupancy with the selected FFP duration, where the selected FFP duration is one of: either the first FFP duration and or the second FFP duration.