Multi-sub-band LBT Operation for 5G Spectrum Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in accessing shared radio frequency spectra with multiple sub-bands, particularly in 5G networks where each carrier includes multiple sub-bands, as existing techniques from LTE networks are not applicable, leading to fairness and accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A method for wireless communication at a UE that involves identifying multiple carriers and sub-bands, performing category 4 LBT procedures on selected sub-bands within carriers, and conducting category 2 LBT procedures on remaining sub-bands across different carriers to efficiently contend for access while ensuring fairness and accessibility in the shared radio frequency spectrum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LTE-based LBT techniques are applied to 5G networks with multiple sub-bands per carrier, then existing system compatibility is maintained, but fairness and accessibility issues arise in shared spectrum access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LBT procedure into two distinct types: Type 1 LBT for the first sub-band and Type 2 LBT for subsequent sub-bands. This segmentation allows the system to handle the first sub-band with a more comprehensive channel access procedure while using a simplified procedure for additional sub-bands, thereby improving fairness and accessibility in 5G networks while maintaining compatibility with existing LTE systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic selection of LBT types based on sub-band index and configuration. The UE dynamically determines whether to perform Type 1 or Type 2 LBT procedures based on the specific sub-band being accessed and network configuration, allowing adaptive behavior that improves spectrum access fairness while maintaining system versatility.
2Reliability
If LBT procedures are performed on all sub-bands within a carrier, then complete channel access is achieved, but access probability decreases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the comprehensive Type 1 LBT procedure and applies it only to the first sub-band, while subsequent sub-bands use the simplified Type 2 LBT procedure. This extraction approach maintains complete channel access reliability for the primary sub-band while improving access probability and reducing latency for additional sub-bands by avoiding redundant comprehensive checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing the full Type 1 LBT procedure only once for the first sub-band, and then using the lighter Type 2 procedure for remaining sub-bands. This partial application of the comprehensive procedure maintains necessary reliability while improving overall productivity in terms of access probability and latency.
3Reliability
If Type 1 LBT is performed on every sub-band, then channel access reliability is maximized, but system complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LBT procedure application by assigning Type 1 LBT to the first sub-band and Type 2 LBT to subsequent sub-bands. This segmentation maintains high channel access reliability for the primary sub-band while reducing device complexity and overhead for additional sub-bands by using the simplified procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different LBT procedure types for different sub-bands based on their roles. The first sub-band receives the more reliable Type 1 procedure, while subsequent sub-bands use the lighter Type 2 procedure, optimizing the balance between reliability and complexity locally for each sub-band.
Data Source
AI summary
The described techniques provide for efficiently contending for access to a shared radio frequency spectrum for communicating on multiple allocated sub-bands across multiple carriers. As described herein, a user equipment (UE) may first identify allocated sub-bands across multiple carriers in a shared radio frequency spectrum. The UE may then select a carrier and at least one of the multiple allocated sub-bands within the carrier on which to perform a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure of a first type, and the UE may perform the LBT procedure of the first type on the at least one sub-band. In addition, the UE may also perform LBT procedures of a second type on allocated sub-bands within carriers different from the selected carrier. Based on the results of the LBT procedures, the UE may communicate with the base station on the allocated sub-bands across the multiple carriers in the shared radio frequency spectrum.