LAA-LTE Subframe Configuration for Opportunistic Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in managing resource allocation and interference in densely deployed small cell networks, particularly in licensed-assisted access (LAA-LTE) scenarios, where opportunistic transmission and reception are needed to enhance data capacity and quality of service while minimizing interference.
Innovation Solution
The method involves subframe configuration in LAA-LTE with carrier aggregation, where user equipment (UE) receives control information from a secondary cell to monitor and unmonitor reference signals and control channels based on indicators, allowing for adaptive and opportunistic transmission and reception, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cells are densely deployed to increase data capacity, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but interference management becomes more difficult and resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic on/off switching of small cells based on traffic demand and channel conditions. The base station controller receives feedback from user equipment about channel quality and traffic requirements, then dynamically activates or deactivates specific small cells to optimize capacity while managing interference and resource allocation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic channel quality feedback from user equipment to the base station controller. This periodic information exchange enables the controller to make periodic decisions about small cell activation/deactivation, creating a rhythm of resource allocation that balances capacity needs with interference management
2Reliability
If small cells are activated to improve quality of service, then data capacity increases, but interference to other cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by activating small cells selectively based on local traffic demand and channel conditions rather than uniformly across the network. The base station controller evaluates channel quality feedback from specific user equipment and activates only those small cells that will improve QoS for local users without causing excessive interference to other areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where user equipment reports channel quality information to the base station controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to make informed decisions about small cell activation, activating cells only when channel conditions indicate they will improve QoS without creating harmful interference
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of control channels is performed, then reliable data reception is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of control channels instead of continuous monitoring. User equipment monitors control channels at periodic intervals determined by the base station, allowing the device to enter low-power states between monitoring periods while still maintaining reliable data reception when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows user equipment to autonomously manage its monitoring behavior based on received indications from the base station. When a small cell is deactivated, the UE automatically stops monitoring its control channels without requiring explicit commands, enabling power saving while maintaining reliability through selective monitoring
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~2C
Figure 2A
AI summary
A system and method of subframe configuration in licensed-assisted access using long-term evolution (LAA-LTE) with carrier aggregation (CA). A wireless device such as an eNodeB (eNB) may transmit control information in a subframe from a secondary cell (SCell) in downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE). The SCell may operate in an unlicensed band. The control information may indicate at least one of a non-ending subframe in a data burst, an ending subframe, and a duration of the ending subframe. The duration may be one of a predefined number of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol durations, and the ending subframe may be a partial or full subframe. A partial ending subframe may use a time slot structure in a time division duplexing (TDD) scheme, e.g., downlink pilot time slots (DwPTS). The eNB may then transmit to the UE data in the subframe according to the control information.