Network-Assisted Hyper UE Group Synchronization in Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network-assisted distributed user equipment (UE) cooperation in unlicensed spectrum, individual UEs performing independent listen-before-talk (LBT) procedures lead to delays and inefficiencies due to the lack of coordination in clear channel assessment (CCA) periods, resulting in reduced performance and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves synchronizing UEs within a Hyper UE group to perform coordinated contention procedures, using a common-parameters configuration message to generate a common contention window for synchronous CCA and aligned sidelink transmission starting times, ensuring simultaneous access to the unlicensed spectrum and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual UEs perform independent LBT procedures in unlicensed spectrum, then each UE can autonomously access the channel, but coordination is lost leading to increased latency and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent UEs are merged into a single Hyper UE entity that performs a unified LBT procedure. The Hyper UE aggregates resource requests from member UEs and submits a single contention request to the network, combining what were previously separate autonomous actions into one coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary between member UEs and the unlicensed spectrum channel. Instead of UEs directly contending for the channel, they submit resource requests to the network, which then performs the LBT procedure on their behalf and allocates granted resources, mediating the access process to reduce latency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual UEs perform independent LBT procedures, then each UE can independently assess the channel, but coordination is lost resulting in reduced spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent channel assessments are merged into a single Hyper UE LBT procedure. The Hyper UE consolidates resource requests from member UEs and performs one unified clear channel assessment, combining what were previously separate independent operations to improve spectral efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The Hyper UE structure provides multi-functionality by enabling a single LBT procedure to serve multiple member UEs simultaneously. The unified contention mechanism benefits all member UEs, allowing the system to adapt to different traffic patterns while maintaining high spectral efficiency through coordinated access.
3Ease of operation
If UEs in a Hyper UE group perform unsynchronized CCA, then each UE operates independently, but transmission alignment is lost causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by determining a unified CCA start time for all Hyper UE members before actual transmissions begin. This advance coordination ensures that all UEs will perform CCA simultaneously, preventing transmission delays while maintaining the simplicity of independent CCA execution at the UE level.
Solution Approach 2:
The network provides feedback to member UEs regarding the scheduled CCA start time and resource allocation. This feedback mechanism ensures that all UEs are synchronized and will perform their CCA procedures simultaneously, eliminating transmission delays caused by unsynchronized operations.
4Productivity
If multiple UEs access unlicensed spectrum simultaneously without coordination, then spectrum utilization increases, but interference increases reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The network acts as an intermediary that coordinates simultaneous spectrum access for multiple Hyper UE members. By performing a unified LBT procedure and allocating specific time-frequency resources to each member, the network enables high spectrum utilization while preventing interference through structured resource distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified LBT grant is segmented into specific time-frequency resources allocated to different member UEs. This segmentation allows multiple UEs to access the unlicensed spectrum simultaneously at different resources, maximizing spectrum utilization while avoiding interference through spatial and temporal separation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method in a network node and network node of a wireless communication network are provided, comprising, for a cooperating group of user equipments (UEs), the transmission of a group-specific information to at least one transmit point (TP), for transmission to at least a subset of the cooperating UEs in the group, the group-specific information comprising information to configure cooperating UEs in the group to generate a group common contention window for synchronous clear channel assessment (CCA) and aligned sidelink transmission starting times.