NR-U Channel Occupancy Coordination for Terminal-Initiated COT

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Solution Overview

Problem

In New Radio-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) systems, there is a challenge in ensuring the reasonable coexistence of channel occupancy times (COT) initiated by both network and terminal devices, as existing systems only support COT initiation by the network device, limiting communication performance.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device is allowed to initiate its own COT by determining a first periodic channel occupancy, which can be configured or shared with the network device, ensuring fair spectrum usage and reducing collision risks through conditions such as energy detection thresholds and resource availability checks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the network device initiates COT alone, then the network device can control channel access, but the terminal device cannot initiate its own COT leading to limited communication performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidCOT initiation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the COT initiation capability by introducing two distinct types of periodic channel occupancy: first periodic channel occupancy for terminal device initiation and second periodic channel occupancy for network device initiation. This segmentation allows both terminal devices and network devices to independently initiate COTs according to their respective needs, thereby improving communication performance while maintaining clear role differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If both network device and terminal device initiate COT independently, then communication performance improves, but collision between COTs on unlicensed spectrum increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidCOT coexistence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the terminal device determines whether to initiate the first channel occupancy based on conditions such as energy detection thresholds and resource availability checks. The network device can also adjust the second periodic channel occupancy configuration based on system state. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and avoid COT collisions while maintaining high communication performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the terminal device always initiates COT, then terminal device can access channel frequently, but it may collide with network device COT and waste spectrum resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access frequencyVSAvoidspectrum resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter-based control where the terminal device monitors energy detection thresholds and resource availability parameters before initiating COT. The network device configures parameters such as the period of second periodic channel occupancy and the relationship between first and second periodic channel occupancies. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on system conditions, the terminal device can access the channel frequently when appropriate while avoiding collisions that would waste spectrum resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4156744B1Wireless communication method, terminal device and network device
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4156744B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4156744B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4156744B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method, a terminal device, and a network device, where a COT initiated by the network device and a COT initiated by the terminal device can reasonably coexist on an unlicensed spectrum. The wireless communication method includes: the terminal device determining a first periodic channel occupancy, the first periodic channel occupancy being a channel occupancy for the terminal device to perform initiation, the first periodic channel occupancy including a first channel occupancy; the terminal device initiating the first channel occupancy, or, the terminal device determining whether to initiate the first channel occupancy.