Radio Beam Pair Channel Sensing for Millimeter Wave Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communication systems operating on millimeter wave frequencies face challenges in efficiently acquiring transmission opportunities due to uncertainties in channel availability, particularly when using directive radio beams, which can lead to inefficiencies in resource allocation and fair sharing among user devices.
Innovation Solution
The system configures multiple radio beam pairs with different transmission directions, performing simultaneous or alternating channel sensing and contention to increase the probability of acquiring a transmission opportunity, and allows for simultaneous or exclusive use of these beams during transmission, based on availability and timing patterns determined before contention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single radio beam is used for transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of acquiring transmission opportunities deteriorates due to uncertainties in channel availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission into multiple radio beams with different transmission directions. Instead of using a single beam, the system divides the transmission opportunity acquisition process across multiple beams (first radio beam, second radio beam, etc.), each independently sensing channel availability. This segmentation increases reliability by providing multiple independent chances to acquire transmission opportunities, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to transmission opportunity acquisition by using radio beams with different transmission directions. Instead of relying on a single beam in one direction, the system explores multiple spatial dimensions (different beam directions) to find available channels. This dimensional expansion increases the probability of finding available transmission opportunities, resolving the reliability-complexity contradiction.
2Reliability
If multiple radio beam pairs are configured with different transmission directions, then the probability of acquiring transmission opportunities is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple radio beam pairs with different transmission directions before the actual transmission opportunity acquisition process. The beam pairs are prepared in advance, and their transmission directions are predetermined. When channel sensing is performed, the system can immediately switch between pre-configured beams without additional configuration overhead, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Productivity
If channel sensing is performed for multiple radio beams, then the efficiency of acquiring transmission opportunities is improved, but the loss of time increases due to sensing multiple beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by performing channel sensing for multiple radio beams in a structured, alternating manner rather than simultaneously. The system periodically switches between different beam pairs (first radio beam pair, second radio beam pair, etc.), sensing channel availability for each in sequence. This periodic sensing approach allows the system to explore multiple beams efficiently, improving the probability of finding available channels while managing the time loss through structured alternation rather than random or simultaneous sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including configuring a first radio beam pair and at least a second radio beam pair to a communication connection, wherein the first radio beam pair includes a first transmission radio beam having a first transmission direction and the second radio beam pair including a second transmission radio beam having a second transmission direction different from the first transmission direction; triggering channel contention to transmit at least one message from the apparatus and performing radio channel sensing for both the first transmission radio beam and the second transmission radio beam during the channel contention; acquiring a transmission opportunity in response to detecting that a radio channel is available for at least one of the first transmission radio beam and the second transmission radio beam; and causing transmission of the at least one message during the transmission opportunity.