Uplink Control Information for NR-U CCA Status Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in shared radio frequency spectrum access, particularly in unlicensed bands, due to the need for multiple network operating entities to contend for resources, leading to increased signaling overhead and communication latency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where network operating entities are allocated reserved and prioritized time resources, allowing them to communicate without the need for clear channel assessment (CCA), thereby reducing interference and latency through coordinated resource partitioning and dynamic scheduling in 5G NR-U networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple network operating entities contend for shared radio frequency spectrum resources, then spectrum utilization flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases and communication latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilization flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The time domain is segmented into reserved time resources allocated to specific network operating entities, allowing them to transmit without performing CCA. This segmentation eliminates the need for continuous medium sensing during reserved periods, thereby reducing communication latency while maintaining spectrum utilization flexibility through dynamic resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Time resources are pre allocated and reserved for specific network operating entities before actual transmission occurs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time CCA procedures during transmission, reducing signaling overhead and communication latency while preserving the ability to adapt to different spectrum usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If clear channel assessment (CCA) procedures are performed before transmission, then interference is reduced, but communication latency increases and signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference reductionVSAvoidcommunication latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission timeline is segmented into reserved periods where CCA is not required and active periods where CCA is performed. This segmentation allows network operating entities to transmit without CCA during reserved times, reducing latency while maintaining interference reduction through selective CCA execution during shared spectrum periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The CCA requirement parameter is changed from mandatory to optional based on time resource allocation. Network operating entities with reserved time resources are exempt from CCA requirements, while others must perform CCA. This parameter change reduces communication latency for reserved entities while preserving interference reduction capabilities where CCA is still executed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If reserved time resources are allocated to network operating entities, then communication latency is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidresource allocation management
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reserved time resource allocation mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables low-latency transmission for priority entities, provides structured spectrum access patterns, and simplifies CCA requirements. This multi-functionality reduces communication latency while managing device complexity through a unified resource management framework that handles multiple objectives simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3837916B1Uplink clear channel assessment status as a new uplink control information for new radio-unlicensed
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3837916B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3837916B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3837916B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Uplink clear channel assessment (CCA) status is disclosed as a new uplink control message for new radio (NR) unlicensed (NR-U) operations. When an opportunity for potential uplink transmissions arises for a user equipment (UE), the UE will perform a CCA procedure on available uplink resources. The UE reports the results of the CCA procedure to a serving base station via an uplink control message, such as an uplink control information (UCI), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or the like. The serving base station may then use the CCA results in scheduling uplink transmissions and reserving uplink resources.