Base Station Channel Switching for Low Latency Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands face interference from nearby devices transmitting probe signals, which can disrupt low latency communications, especially in mission-critical and delay-sensitive applications.

Innovation Solution

A base station identifies available channels with minimal interference by performing listen-before-talk procedures and interference management resources techniques, switching to alternative channels or implementing frequency hopping patterns to mitigate interference and ensure reliable communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices transmit probe signals in unlicensed spectrum to discover nearby access points, then WLAN connectivity is improved, but interference with low latency communications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveWLAN connectivityVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs listen-before-talk procedures and identifies available channels with minimal interference before transmitting downlink bursts. This preliminary channel assessment prevents selecting channels that would be subject to probe signal interference, thereby protecting low latency communications while allowing other devices to use unlicensed spectrum for WLAN connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary by monitoring channels and selecting appropriate frequency resources for transmissions. It mediates between the need for unlicensed spectrum usage (allowing probe signals) and the need for reliable low latency communications, dynamically choosing channels that minimize interference impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the base station uses a fixed channel for downlink transmissions, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but reliability under interference conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission simplicityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station dynamically selects channels for downlink transmissions based on real-time interference conditions detected through listen-before-talk procedures. Instead of using a fixed channel, the system adapts channel selection to current spectral conditions, improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated channel management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base station changes the frequency parameter (channel selection) based on detected interference conditions. By monitoring channel availability and selecting from multiple available channels, the system adjusts the frequency parameter dynamically to avoid probe signal interference, thereby maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the base station performs listen-before-talk procedures to identify available channels, then interference mitigation is improved, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference mitigationVSAvoidtransmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs listen-before-talk procedures and identifies available channels in advance before transmitting downlink bursts. This preliminary channel assessment ensures that selected channels are free from probe signal interference, mitigating interference impact while minimizing latency by having channel information ready before transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs interference detection and channel selection for specific critical channels used by low latency communications, rather than continuously monitoring all possible channels. This partial monitoring approach provides sufficient interference mitigation for mission-critical transmissions while minimizing the time and resources spent on channel assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11696284B2Interference detection, signaling, and mitigation techniques for low latency transmissions

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Generally, the described techniques provide for a base station transmitting an indication of a set of one or more available channels to a user equipment (UE). The base station may transmit to the UE a first downlink burst using a first channel and a first frame period. In some cases, the base station may detect interference associated with the first downlink burst, for example, by performing a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure or through an interference management resources (IMR) procedure in which the base station transmits reference signal signals to the UE that the UE may use to return a report on measured interference. If the base station detects interference, the base station may transmit to the UE an instruction to switch to a second channel and a second frame period, where the second channel may be selected from the set of one or more available channels.