LTE Base Station Unlicensed Band Channel Reservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE-A systems face challenges in carrier aggregation, particularly when multiple pico cells and one macro cell operate in an overlapping manner, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and interference issues when using unlicensed bands, especially in heterogeneous networks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a base station with both WLAN and mobile communication modules, reserving channels using control frames to support WLAN, determining channel availability, and transmitting data through reserved unlicensed band channels, thereby enabling efficient communication and minimizing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LTE small cells operate on unlicensed bands to increase data transmission rates, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential interference with higher-priority users such as WLAN systems
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs channel reservation using WLAN control frames (RTS/CTS) before transmitting LTE data on unlicensed bands. This preliminary action secures the channel in advance, preventing interference with higher-priority WLAN users while enabling efficient LTE data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses WLAN control frames (RTS/CTS) as intermediary signals to mediate between LTE and WLAN systems. The base station sends RTS in WLAN format, receives CTS response, and then proceeds with LTE data transmission, using these control frames as mediators to coordinate spectrum sharing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pico cells and macro cell operate in overlapping manner to enhance network coverage, then adaptability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to interference issues
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs channel assessment and reservation before data transmission by sending RTS frames and receiving CTS responses. This preliminary channel securing action prevents interference with other cells operating in the overlapping coverage area, enabling coordinated multi-point operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If base station uses WLAN control frames to reserve channels on unlicensed bands to minimize interference, then harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases due to dual WLAN and mobile communication modules
Solution Approach 1:
The base station integrates both WLAN and mobile communication modules into a single device, enabling it to perform dual functions: WLAN channel reservation using RTS/CTS frames and LTE data transmission on unlicensed bands. This multi-functionality reduces interference while managing complexity through unified device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4G system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method for performing communication using an unlicensed band includes reserving a channel of the unlicensed band using a control frame supporting WLAN by a WLAN module, when reserving the channel of the unlicensed band succeeds, determining whether the channel of the unlicensed band is used by a mobile communication module, and transmitting data supporting the unlicensed band through the reserved channel of the unlicensed band.