Partial Subframe Signal Transmission for LTE-U Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to efficiently transmit signals in partial sub-frames within unlicensed frequency bands, leading to degraded LTE-U transmission efficiency due to variable channel occupancy and contention access mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that generate and transmit signals matching the time-domain resource size of a target sub-frame, allowing for efficient signal transmission in partial sub-frames by allocating and utilizing time-frequency resources, and include modules for signal preparation and transmission, as well as reception and decoding based on determined resource sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If LBE channel access mechanism is used in unlicensed frequency bands, then flexible and fair channel access is achieved, but transmission efficiency is degraded due to variable channel occupancy and partial sub-frame transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sub-frame structure adaptable rather than fixed. The base station dynamically determines whether to transmit a full sub-frame or a partial sub-frame based on channel access results from LBT procedures. This allows the system to adapt its transmission pattern to actual channel conditions while maintaining efficient resource utilization, resolving the contradiction between access flexibility and transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If signal transmission is skipped in partial sub-frames due to contention access, then channel access fairness is maintained, but transmission efficiency is reduced by up to 25%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access fairnessVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing LBT channel access procedures in advance before actual data transmission. The base station conducts Clear Channel Assessment and determines channel access timing beforehand, allowing it to plan whether to transmit full or partial sub-frames in advance. This preliminary channel access preparation enables the system to maintain fairness while minimizing efficiency losses by avoiding unnecessary idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If LTE-U transmission is aligned with licensed band transmission, then system coordination is improved, but partial sub-frames are created due to LBT timing variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidsub-frame structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sub-frame structure into two distinct types: full sub-frames and partial sub-frames. This segmentation allows the system to maintain alignment with licensed band transmission for full sub-frames while handling LBT timing variations through appropriately structured partial sub-frames. The clear distinction between these two types simplifies the overall system coordination compared to trying to create a single complex adaptive structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3253141B1Signal sending method, receiving method and device
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3253141B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3253141B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3253141B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed are a signal sending method, and a receiving method and device. The signal sending method comprises: according to the size of a time-domain resource which has already been acquired or which may be acquired in a target subframe, generating a sending signal matching the size of the time-domain resource; and after the time-domain resource in the target subframe is acquired, sending the sending signal matching the acquired time-domain resource in the target subframe. By means of the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present invention, signal transmission over an incomplete subframe is realized, thereby improving the transmission efficiency.