Logical Channel Prioritization in NR-U Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LBT procedures for NR-U operation in unlicensed spectrum face challenges in efficiently managing channel availability and quality, leading to latency and quality of service issues due to inadequate consideration of channel load and radio quality during MAC LCP procedures.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves selecting logical channels for uplink transmission based on priority and availability, mapping higher-priority data to channels with lower load and better radio quality, and lower-priority data to channels with higher load and lesser radio quality, while also considering channel quality during the MAC LCP procedure to improve transmission reliability and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LBT procedures are performed to determine channel availability in unlicensed spectrum, then channel access reliability is improved, but transmission latency increases due to insufficient consideration of channel load and radio quality during MAC LCP procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters considered during MAC LCP from only logical channel priority to a multi-dimensional parameter set including channel load, radio quality, and priority weight. This allows the system to select not just which logical channel to transmit, but also which specific radio channel to use, optimizing both reliability and latency by matching transmission parameters to current channel conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic channel selection where the mapping between logical channels and radio channels is not fixed but adapts based on real-time channel conditions. The network can dynamically configure allowed radio channels for each logical channel based on measured channel load and radio quality, enabling the system to respond to changing spectral conditions and reduce latency when channels become available
2Reliability
If channel load and radio quality are considered during MAC LCP, then transmission reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel selection process into distinct configurable parameters: logical channel priority, channel load metrics, radio quality metrics, and priority weight. This segmentation allows each aspect to be independently measured, configured, and optimized, reducing overall system complexity by breaking down the complex decision-making into manageable, configurable components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network measures channel load and radio quality, then uses this feedback to dynamically configure allowed radio channels for each logical channel. This closed-loop feedback system automates the complexity of multi-parameter optimization, reducing manual configuration while improving transmission reliability through adaptive channel selection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a method for selecting logical channels for transmission on granted uplink (UL) resources within a cell of a radio access network (RAN) including receiving, from a network node in the RAN, a grant of resources associated with a carrier frequency in unlicensed spectrum, the carrier frequency comprising a plurality of radio channels, and selecting one or more of a plurality of logical channels for transmission during a subsequent transmission time interval, TTI, using the granted resources, wherein the selecting is based on respective priorities associated with the logical channels and information indicating the respective availabilities, and/or radio qualities of the radio channels. The invention further relates to methods for configuring selection of logical channels for transmission on granted UL resources within a cell of a RAN, as well as a network node and user equipment configured to perform operations corresponding to the referred methods.