PDCCH-Directed Transceiver 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 method that dynamically indicates available frequency ranges and slot formats using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to facilitate flexible resource allocation, allowing for partial carrier access and reducing LBT overhead by signaling available time-frequency resources.
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 unlicensed carrier is divided into multiple frequency ranges, and the slot format indication is segmented to apply to specific frequency ranges rather than the entire carrier. This allows selective application of LBT procedures and slot formats to different frequency segments, reducing overall overhead while maintaining reliable channel access in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different slot formats and LBT procedures are applied to different frequency ranges based on local channel conditions and interference characteristics. The scheduling device can indicate different uplink/downlink symbol allocations for different frequency ranges, optimizing resource utilization locally while reducing global overhead.
2Productivity
If flexible resource allocation is implemented in unlicensed carriers, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot format indication dynamically changes parameters such as uplink/downlink symbol allocation and applicable frequency ranges based on current channel conditions and traffic demands. This allows flexible resource allocation without requiring separate signaling for each parameter change, as the slot format indication encapsulates multiple configuration parameters in a compact form.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot format indication mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it indicates slot format, applicable frequency range, and triggers corresponding LBT procedures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling messages, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining flexible resource allocation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If partial carrier access is enabled, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frequency range dimension to the slot format indication, allowing different slot formats to be applied to different frequency ranges within the same carrier. This dimensional extension enables partial carrier access and flexible resource allocation without requiring complex time-domain or spatial-domain multiplexing schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot format indication acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the scheduling device and transceiver device for partial carrier access. It conveys the applicable frequency range and slot format information, enabling both devices to synchronize their resource allocation without requiring complex direct negotiation or additional control signaling.
Data Source
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.