Receiver-Assisted LBT for Multi-Beam Channel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in the 60 GHz band, the conventional listen before talk (LBT) procedure performed by transmitters does not accurately represent the interference level experienced by receivers, leading to inefficiencies in channel access and prolonged timelines before downlink data transmissions can start, especially when multiple beams are involved.
Innovation Solution
A method where a user equipment (UE) receives a pre-grant indicating multiple beams and performs a listen before talk (LBT) procedure on each beam, providing a single acknowledgment with a report of the LBT results, allowing the base station to schedule downlink transmissions on beams with successful LBT procedures, thereby optimizing resource allocation and managing beam collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitter performs LBT procedure before transmission, then the channel access is controlled, but the interference level experienced by receiver is not accurately represented and channel access efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional LBT approach by having the receiver perform the LBT procedure instead of the transmitter. The receiver performs LBT on each beam to determine if the channel is idle before receiving data, and reports the result to the transmitter. This inversion resolves the contradiction because the receiver's LBT accurately reflects the interference level it will experience, improving channel access efficiency while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver reports the LBT results to the transmitter after performing the procedure. The transmitter receives feedback information indicating whether each beam has successful LBT results, and uses this feedback to schedule downlink transmissions only on beams with successful LBT. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient channel access based on actual receiver conditions while maintaining reliable transmission control.
2Productivity
If multiple beams are used for transmission, then the spatial coverage and throughput are improved, but the LBT procedure complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LBT procedures for different beams into a single coordinated process. Instead of performing LBT separately for each beam sequentially, the receiver performs LBT on all indicated beams simultaneously or in a coordinated manner, and reports all results in a single LBT report message. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining high throughput through multi-beam operation while reducing the time loss associated with repeated LBT procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs LBT procedures in advance before actual data transmission begins. The receiver performs LBT on all candidate beams beforehand, determines which beams have successful LBT results, and includes this information in the LBT report sent to the transmitter. The transmitter then schedules data transmissions only on beams with successful preliminary LBT. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by ensuring efficient channel access is established before transmission, avoiding time delays during actual data transfer.
3Speed
If the transmitter schedules downlink transmission immediately, then the latency is reduced, but the interference conditions are not accurately known leading to potential transmission failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs LBT procedures in advance before scheduling downlink transmission. The receiver completes LBT on all indicated beams and reports the results to the transmitter before the transmitter schedules data transmission. This preliminary LBT action allows the transmitter to make informed scheduling decisions based on actual channel conditions, resolving the contradiction by ensuring transmission reliability through accurate interference knowledge while maintaining low latency through efficient beam selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver provides LBT results to the transmitter before data transmission begins. The transmitter receives feedback information about which beams have successful LBT results and uses this feedback to schedule downlink transmissions only on appropriate beams. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by enabling the transmitter to schedule transmissions with low latency while ensuring reliability through feedback-based beam selection based on actual interference conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a user equipment (UE) to provide listen before talk (LBT) assistance to a transmitting device. The UE may receive a pre-grant (PG) indicating a plurality of beams and a transmission resource. The UE may performing a LBT procedure on each beam of the indicated plurality of beams. The UE may transmit an acknowledgment to the pre-grant (APG) including a LBT report for the indicated plurality of beams on the transmission resource, the LBT report indicating a result of the LBT procedure for each beam of the indicated plurality of beams.