Relay Channel Reservation for Zero-Power Wireless Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Zero-power devices, which lack built-in batteries and support energy harvesting and backscatter communication, face challenges in accessing unlicensed frequency bands due to their inability to perform conventional channel access mechanisms, leading to potential collisions and interference with existing devices.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a first device with relay functionality acquires a time-domain resource via channel access to facilitate communication between zero-power devices and conventional devices, ensuring compatibility and reducing collisions by using existing channel access protocols like CSMA/CA and RTS/CTS, thereby enabling channel reservation for zero-power devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If zero-power devices use conventional channel access mechanisms, then they can access unlicensed frequency bands, but they cause collisions and interference with existing devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access capabilityVSAvoidcollisions and interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary between zero-power devices and the unlicensed channel. The relay device performs channel access on behalf of zero-power devices, which themselves cannot execute channel access procedures. This mediator approach allows zero-power devices to access unlicensed bands without directly causing collisions, as the relay device manages channel contention and coordinates transmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device performs preliminary channel access and resource reservation before zero-power devices transmit. By acquiring time-domain resources and making ready-to-send (RTS) transmissions in advance, the relay device prepares the channel for zero-power device communications, preventing collisions before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If zero-power devices are deployed in high-density scenarios, then coverage and connectivity are enhanced, but channel access collisions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice densityVSAvoidchannel access success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel access function from the zero-power devices and assigns it to relay devices. Instead of each zero-power device independently attempting channel access (which would cause collisions in high-density scenarios), the relay device consolidates channel access attempts and manages multiple zero-power devices, dividing the access burden and reducing conflicts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where relay devices monitor channel conditions and adjust their channel access strategies accordingly. Clear-to-send (CTS) transmissions and ready-to-send (RTS) acknowledgments provide feedback loops that allow relay devices to adapt to channel occupancy and reduce collisions in high-density deployments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If zero-power devices perform channel access independently, then they gain channel autonomy, but they lack the capability to execute conventional channel access mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access autonomyVSAvoidchannel access capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device serves as an intermediary that bridges the capability gap. Zero-power devices maintain operational simplicity without channel access complexity, while relay devices handle the complex channel access procedures. This intermediary approach allows zero-power devices to effectively access channels autonomously through the relay without needing to implement complex channel access logic themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional channel access protocols are used, then compatibility with existing devices is maintained, but zero-power devices cannot directly participate in channel access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidzero-power device participation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device performs multiple functions: it acts as both a conventional device participating in standard channel access protocols (maintaining compatibility) and as an enabler for zero-power devices (allowing their participation). This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain compatibility with existing devices while simultaneously enabling zero-power device involvement through the relay's dual role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260020005A1Method for wireless communication, first device, and second device

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

AI summary

Provided is a method for wireless communication. The methos is performed by a first device, and includes: acquiring a first time-domain resource via channel access, wherein the first time-domain resource includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, wherein the second device is in communication with a third device via the first device.