PDCCH Slot Scheduling for Partial Unlicensed Carrier Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing unlicensed spectrum due to interference from competing systems, leading to inefficient resource allocation and increased overhead in clear channel assessment (LBT) procedures, particularly in wideband carriers.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver device and scheduling device system that dynamically allocates frequency ranges and slot formats using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to facilitate flexible resource usage, allowing for partial carrier access and reducing LBT overhead by indicating available time-frequency resources to responding devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clear channel assessment (LBT) procedures are performed in unlicensed spectrum, then channel access reliability is improved, but overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wideband carrier into multiple frequency ranges (e.g., first frequency range and second frequency range), allowing independent LBT procedures for each segment. This reduces overall overhead by enabling partial carrier access when only some frequency ranges are available, rather than requiring assessment of the entire carrier bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic slot format indication through PDCCH, where the slot format (indicating uplink, downlink, or flexible symbols) is adapted based on real-time channel conditions and available frequency ranges. This dynamic adaptation optimizes resource utilization while reducing LBT overhead by activating only available frequency ranges.
2Productivity
If wideband carriers are used in unlicensed spectrum, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but interference from competing systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wideband carrier into multiple frequency ranges that can be independently assessed and accessed. This segmentation allows the system to utilize available bandwidth while avoiding frequency ranges occupied by competing systems, thus maintaining high bandwidth utilization without excessive interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different slot formats and transmission parameters to different frequency ranges based on local channel conditions. Frequency ranges with good quality (low interference) utilize wider bandwidth and optimized slot formats, while affected ranges use narrower bandwidth or are excluded, optimizing overall system performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible resource allocation is implemented, then adaptability to channel conditions is improved, but control signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal slot format indication mechanism through PDCCH that can apply to multiple frequency ranges simultaneously. This multi-functional approach provides flexible resource allocation across different frequency ranges using a unified control structure, reducing redundant signaling overhead while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial resource allocation by activating only the necessary frequency ranges and symbols based on current channel conditions and traffic requirements. Rather than allocating resources across the entire carrier bandwidth, the system applies flexible allocation selectively to available frequency ranges, reducing control signaling overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a transceiver device and scheduling device, and communication methods for transceiver device and scheduling device. The transceiver device comprises a transceiver which, in operation, receives a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), indicating a frequency range included in a carrier and applicable for transmission to be performed between the transceiver device and a scheduling device and a slot format indicating a sequence of symbol types by which the transmission is to be performed on a plurality of symbols included in a slot on the frequency range, the symbol types including at least one of an uplink symbol type, a downlink symbol type, and a flexible symbol type, and circuitry which, in operation, determines, based on the PDCCH, the frequency range and the slot format. The transceiver, in operation, performs the transmission on the frequency range in compliance with the slot format.