Listen-Before-Talk Chirp Scheduling for 60 GHz Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless devices operating in the same wireless spectrum experience interference due to unmanaged communication between multiple devices, particularly in environments using the 60 GHz band.

Innovation Solution

Implementing listen-before-talk (LBT) operations to determine channel availability before transmitting data bursts, with multiple LBT checks before each chirp to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple wireless devices transmit data bursts simultaneously in the same wireless spectrum, then communication productivity is improved, but interference and collision between devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication throughputVSAvoidinterference and collision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) operations before transmitting data bursts. Devices check channel availability in advance by monitoring for ongoing transmissions and detecting channel occupancy, then proceed with transmission only when the channel is confirmed available. This prevents simultaneous transmissions and eliminates collisions while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If Listen-Before-Talk operations are performed before each chirp transmission, then interference between devices is reduced, but communication latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the LBT operation into two distinct phases: pre-burst LBT performed before the entire data burst to secure channel access, and intra-burst LBT performed selectively between chirps based on buffer status and timing conditions. This segmentation reduces the frequency of LBT operations from every chirp to only when necessary, thereby reducing latency while still preventing interference through targeted channel checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If LBT operations are performed frequently to ensure channel availability, then coexistence between devices is optimized, but communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoexistence operationVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial LBT operations by performing full pre-burst LBT checks before data bursts, but using simplified or conditional intra-burst LBT only when buffer status changes or timing conditions are met. This partial action approach maintains reliable coexistence through necessary channel checks while avoiding excessive LBT operations that would reduce communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12477581B2Systems and methods for performing coexistence operations in wireless spectrums

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for performing listen-before-talk (LBT) operations include a first wireless communication device which schedules a data burst comprising a plurality of chirps for transmitting on a channel to a second device. The wireless communication device may perform an LBT operation on the channel between the first device and the second device to determine that the channel is available, prior to transmitting a first chirp of the plurality of chirps. The wireless communication device may transmit the first chirp on the channel responsive to performing the LBT operation.