Hybrid Carrier Aggregation Licensed Unlicensed Band Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands for hybrid carrier aggregation, leading to interference issues and limited bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
Wireless devices are configured to establish a primary carrier on a licensed frequency band for control communications and a secondary carrier on an unlicensed frequency band, with the base station assessing channel conditions and employing contention control techniques to minimize interference, allowing for seamless communication using both licensed and unlicensed bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hybrid carrier aggregation uses both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands, then bandwidth utilization and throughput are improved, but interference issues arise due to unlicensed band sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier aggregation functionality into primary carrier (licensed band) and secondary carrier (unlicensed band), with each serving distinct purposes. The primary carrier handles control communications while the secondary carrier handles data communications, allowing the system to utilize both licensed and unlicensed bands simultaneously without complete interference between functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contention control mechanisms as intermediaries between the hybrid carrier aggregation system and the unlicensed band environment. These mechanisms (including listen-before-talk procedures and clear-to-send messages) mediate access to the unlicensed spectrum, reducing interference with other users while maintaining efficient utilization of the available bandwidth
2Quantity of substance
If secondary carrier is established on unlicensed frequency band for data communications, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but control communications reliability may deteriorate due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates control communications and data communications onto different carriers with different reliability characteristics. Control communications are confined to the licensed primary carrier which guarantees reliability, while data communications utilize the higher-capacity unlicensed secondary carrier. This segmentation allows the system to maximize bandwidth capacity while preserving control signal reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs contention control mechanisms as intermediaries that protect the secondary carrier communications. By implementing listen-before-talk procedures and clear-to-send message exchanges, the system reduces the probability of interference affecting data transmissions on the unlicensed band, thereby maintaining acceptable reliability while utilizing the expanded bandwidth capacity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If base station assesses channel conditions for multiple unlicensed channels, then interference avoidance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary channel condition assessment through listen-before-talk procedures before establishing communications on unlicensed channels. The base station and wireless device perform channel assessments in advance, measuring energy levels and detecting other transmissions. This preliminary action allows the system to identify suitable channels and avoid interference-prone frequencies before committing resources, reducing the need for complex real-time interference management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the base station receives channel condition information from wireless devices and adjusts its channel selection and transmission parameters accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing interference conditions dynamically, improving interference avoidance while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized feedback procedures
Data Source
AI summary
Carrier aggregation using unlicensed frequency bands. A primary carrier for communication between a base station (BS) and a wireless user equipment (UE) device may be configured according to a first wireless communication technology. The primary carrier may be on a licensed frequency band. A secondary carrier for communication between the BS and the UE may also be configured according to a first wireless communication technology. The secondary carrier may be on an unlicensed frequency band. Channel conditions for each of multiple possible channels of the unlicensed frequency band may be assessed according to a second wireless communication technology as part of configuring the secondary carrier.