NR-U Base Station Beam Selection for Unlicensed Spectrum Coexistence

Solution Overview

Problem

Different wireless communication systems, such as 5G NR and Wi-Fi, face challenges in coexisting without interference when sharing common unlicensed RF spectrum, as they are typically unaware of each other's presence, leading to potential interference and degraded performance.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a base station and UE devices operating according to a New Radio-Unlicensed (NR-U) protocol, which broadcasts multiple RF beams, performs clear channel assessments, and allows UE devices to identify channel occupancy times from control information, enabling them to establish wireless connections without interference by determining the best RF beam and channel availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple wireless communication systems operate in unlicensed spectrum simultaneously, then spectrum utilization increases, but interference between systems occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs clear channel assessment (CCA) before transmitting control information to determine if the channel is free from other transmissions. This preliminary check prevents interference by ensuring the channel is available before occupying it, allowing multiple systems to coexist in unlicensed spectrum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses listen-before-talk (LBT) mechanism where devices continuously monitor the channel for ongoing transmissions. This feedback mechanism allows devices to detect and avoid interfering with other systems, enabling multiple wireless systems to share unlicensed spectrum effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If devices transmit without coordination in unlicensed spectrum, then communication simplicity is maintained, but channel conflicts occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidchannel availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs clear channel assessment (CCA) before transmitting control information to determine if the channel is free from other transmissions. This preliminary check prevents interference by ensuring the channel is available before occupying it, allowing multiple systems to coexist in unlicensed spectrum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses listen-before-talk (LBT) mechanism where devices continuously monitor the channel for ongoing transmissions. This feedback mechanism allows devices to detect and avoid interfering with other systems, enabling multiple wireless systems to share unlicensed spectrum effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11569898B1Methods and systems for establishing a connection between devices in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 CABLE TELEVISION LAB INC

AI summary

A method for establishing a wireless connection between a user equipment (UE) device and a base station in unlicensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum includes (a) receiving, at the UE device, a plurality of RF beams broadcasted by the base station, (b) identifying a selected RF beam of the plurality of RF beams having control information with a maximum received signal level, and (c) identifying a first channel occupancy time (COT1) of the base station from control information of the selected RF beam.