Licensed Assisted Sidelink Access for Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently accessing unlicensed spectrum for sidelink communications, leading to bandwidth limitations and inefficiencies in data transfer, particularly as the demand for mobile broadband access increases.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of licensed assisted sidelink access using an indication of multiple data channels on an unlicensed carrier, which allows UEs to transmit an indication of available data channels via a licensed carrier for sidelink communications, enabling efficient access to unlicensed spectrum through a listen-before-talk technique, thereby reducing complexity and overhead associated with stricter synchronizations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If UEs directly access unlicensed spectrum for sidelink communications, then spectrum availability increases, but access efficiency and reliability deteriorate due to lack of coordinated channel management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where a UE transmits indications of available data channels on the unlicensed carrier to other UEs via the licensed carrier. This intermediary approach allows UEs to access unlicensed spectrum resources without direct coordination, improving both spectrum availability and access efficiency by eliminating the need for strict synchronization while maintaining reliable control signaling through the licensed carrier.
2Productivity
If multiple data channels are used on unlicensed carrier, then data transfer capability improves, but complexity of channel access coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coordination function from the unlicensed carrier to the licensed carrier. By transmitting channel indications on the licensed carrier, the system removes the complexity of coordination from the unlicensed spectrum access process, allowing multiple data channels to operate independently without complex coordination mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having UEs transmit indications of available data channels in advance before actual data transmission occurs. This advance notification mechanism allows receiving UEs to prepare for potential transmissions, reducing the need for real-time coordination and simplifying the access process for multiple data channels.
3Reliability
If licensed assisted sidelink access is implemented, then control signaling reliability is maintained, but system overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using the licensed carrier only for control signaling (transmission of channel indications) while leaving data transmission to the unlicensed carrier. This partial use of the licensed carrier maintains control signaling reliability without the overhead of using it for all communications, optimizing the balance between reliability and efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a first user equipment (UE) may transmit, to a second UE via a sidelink sub-channel of a licensed carrier, an indication of multiple data channels of an unlicensed carrier to be used to attempt one or more sidelink communications between the first UE and the second UE. The UE may attempt the one or more sidelink communications between the first UE and the second UE using the multiple data channels. Numerous other aspects are provided.