Hop-Count Channel Occupancy Sharing for Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing channel occupancy sharing in unlicensed spectrum, leading to interference due to UEs outside the spatial range of the initiating UE, which is not detected by conventional channel sensing procedures, resulting in inefficiencies and resource overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hop counter mechanism to limit the spatial range of channel occupancy sharing by associating a hop counter value with shared channel resources, allowing UEs to determine transmission eligibility based on their distance from the initiating UE, thereby reducing interference and signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If channel occupancy sharing is allowed in unlicensed spectrum without spatial range limitation, then channel utilization efficiency is improved, but interference from UEs outside the spatial range increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel occupancy sharing space by introducing a hop counter mechanism that divides the unlicensed spectrum access into discrete hops or levels. Each UE can only share channel occupancy within a limited number of hops from the initiating UE, creating segmented spatial zones that prevent distant UEs from causing interference while allowing nearby UEs to efficiently utilize the channel.
2Measurement precision
If conventional channel sensing procedures are used, then detection of nearby transmissions is achieved, but UEs outside spatial range cause undetected interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing hop counter limits before channel occupancy sharing occurs. The maximum hop counter value is predetermined and communicated to UEs before they attempt to share the channel, allowing UEs to proactively determine their eligibility for channel sharing based on their distance from the initiating UE, rather than attempting to detect interference after transmission has begun.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hop counter mechanism is implemented to limit spatial range, then interference is reduced, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the hop counter information specific to each channel occupancy sharing instance and each UE's location relative to the initiating UE. Rather than broadcasting general interference avoidance rules to all UEs in the network, the initiating UE provides hop counter values only to UEs within its vicinity that are attempting to share the channel, making the signaling localized and efficient.
4Productivity
If channel occupancy sharing is permitted broadly, then resource utilization is improved, but computing resources are consumed for interference management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling UEs to autonomously determine their eligibility for channel occupancy sharing based on the hop counter values they receive from the initiating UE. Each UE independently compares its measured distance or hop count against the provided threshold without requiring complex centralized interference management computations, thereby reducing overall computing resource consumption while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment may receive information identifying a shared channel occupancy for a packet transmission resource and a hop counter value associated with the shared channel occupancy. The user equipment may determine whether to transmit one or more packets in the shared channel occupancy based at least in part on the hop counter value associated with the shared channel occupancy. Numerous other aspects are provided.