Radio Devices Guard Period Resource Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio communication networks face increasing demands due to growing data traffic, with limited frequency resources, leading to inefficiencies and wasted capacity, particularly during guard periods in unlicensed frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where radio communication devices use unlicensed frequency bands by sending reservation messages to indicate guard periods, allowing for the transmission of control and management information during these periods, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing the need for external control information exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radio communication devices send reservation messages indicating guard periods in unlicensed frequency bands, then resource efficiency is improved by utilizing otherwise wasted resources during guard periods, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional control information exchange mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting reservation messages before the actual data transmission to indicate upcoming guard periods. This allows receiving devices to prepare in advance for the muted period, enabling efficient resource utilization during what would otherwise be wasted time. The reservation message is sent prior to the guard period to coordinate resource usage without interfering with the guard period's purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the reservation message to serve multiple purposes: it reserves the channel for upcoming transmission, indicates the duration of the guard period, and enables other devices to utilize the guard period for alternative communications. This single message structure accomplishes channel reservation while facilitating resource sharing during guard periods.
2Loss of substance
If control information is transmitted during guard periods, then the amount of control information needed outside data transmissions is reduced, but the reliability of data transmission may worsen due to potential interference with the upcoming data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the communication resources into distinct time segments: the reservation message period, the guard period for control information exchange, and the data transmission period. This segmentation ensures that control information transmitted during the guard period does not interfere with the subsequent data transmission, as they occupy separate time resources. The guard period acts as a buffer that isolates control information from data transmission interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the guard period as an intermediary time slot that mediates between channel reservation and data transmission. During this intermediary period, control information can be exchanged without affecting the main data transmission. The guard period serves as a buffer zone that allows control information to be transmitted while protecting the upcoming data transmission from interference through proper timing coordination.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 1d~1f
AI summary
A first and a second radio communication device and a respective method performed thereby for communicating between the first and the second radio communication device are provided. The method in the first radio communication device comprises transmitting, on an unlicensed frequency band, to at least the second radio communication device, an indication of a duration of a guard period, wherein an upcoming data transmission is to be performed to the second radio communication device after the expiration of the guard period. The method further comprises during the guard period, sending and/or receiving information to/from at least one other radio communication device, the other communication device being the second radio communication device or a third communication device.