IAB Node Channel Occupancy Time Sharing in 5G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently sharing channel occupancy time (COT) in unlicensed 5G spectra within integrated access backhaul (IAB) networks, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and latency issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves performing channel access procedures to acquire and share COT between IAB nodes, allowing for co-located entities such as distributed units (DUs) and mobile terminals (MTs) to communicate, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing latency by enabling quicker channel access through type 2 channel access procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If type 1 channel access procedures are constantly performed for channel access, then channel access reliability is improved, but latency increases and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first entity acquire the COT in advance through type 1 channel access procedure, then sharing this pre-acquired COT with the second entity. This allows the second entity to perform type 2 channel access procedure with reduced latency since the channel is already occupied and reserved by the first entity. The COT sharing mechanism enables the second entity to access the channel without performing a full type 1 procedure, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliable channel access.
2Reliability
If type 1 channel access procedures are constantly performed, then channel access reliability is improved, but resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the channel access operations of the first and second entities by allowing the second entity to share the COT acquired by the first entity. Instead of both entities independently performing type 1 channel access procedures (which would be resource-intensive), the system combines their channel access needs into a single COT acquisition by the first entity, followed by COT sharing with the second entity. This merging approach improves resource utilization while maintaining channel access reliability for both entities.
3Loss of time
If COT is shared between entities, then latency is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the COT management into distinct functional roles: the first entity performs type 1 channel access procedure and acquires the COT, while the second entity performs type 2 channel access procedure and utilizes the shared COT. This segmentation of responsibilities simplifies the overall system complexity compared to having all entities perform type 1 procedures, as each entity is assigned a specific channel access mode based on its role in the COT sharing relationship.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless communications systems and methods related to sharing channel occupancy time (COT) for a channel in an unlicensed 5G spectrum in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network are provided. In some aspects, an IAB node of the IAB network may perform a channel access procedure to acquire the COT and share the COT with a parent IAB node and/or a child IAB node for the parent IAB node and/or child IAB node to communicate back with the COT initiating IAB node. The sharing of the COT with the parent IAB node and/or child IAB node may also include a sharing of the same COT between a distributed unit and a mobile terminal of the COT-initiating IAB node.