Unlicensed RF Channel Selection for Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices operating in unlicensed RF spectrum bands face challenges with network congestion and interference due to the lack of regulatory protection against radio interference, making it difficult to efficiently utilize certain RF channels like RF channel 32 of the U-NII-1 band, which are often less congested but harder to use due to out-of-channel transmission limitations.
Innovation Solution
A base station selects RF channels in unlicensed spectrum bands based on congestion levels, including impaired channels like RF channel 32 of the U-NII-1 band, to reduce interference and improve throughput by allocating these channels for communication, even if they are historically less utilized, thereby reducing congestion and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless devices use unlicensed RF spectrum bands, then network capacity and throughput can be increased, but network congestion and interference increase due to lack of regulatory protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different RF channels have different selection priorities based on their specific characteristics. Impaired channels like channel 32 are identified and given special consideration in the selection process, treating them differently from other channels based on their out-of-channel transmission limitations and historical congestion patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the channel selection parameter by incorporating impairment information into the selection criteria. The base station modifies its channel selection behavior by considering both congestion levels and impairment characteristics, dynamically adjusting which channels are selected based on current network conditions and channel-specific properties.
2Reliability
If impaired RF channels like channel 32 are avoided, then devices can operate more reliably, but these less congested channels remain underutilized and congestion in other channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harm of impaired channels into a benefit by deliberately selecting them when they are less congested. The out-of-channel transmission limitations that make these channels impaired also cause them to be less utilized by other devices, creating an opportunity to use them for carrier aggregation and reduce overall network congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic channel selection that adapts to changing congestion conditions. The base station continuously monitors congestion levels and dynamically adjusts its channel selection strategy, switching between using impaired channels when they are less congested and avoiding them when congestion is high, thereby optimizing both reliability and utilization.
3Productivity
If carrier aggregation is implemented in unlicensed spectrum, then network capacity increases, but difficulty in selecting appropriate channels increases due to varying congestion and impairment characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the base station pre-identify and categorize impaired channels based on their characteristics. Channel usage information is collected and analyzed in advance to determine which channels are impaired and their impairment levels, so that when carrier aggregation is needed, the selection can be made more quickly and efficiently without complex real-time analysis.
4Quantity of substance
If congested RF channels are used for carrier aggregation, then available bandwidth increases, but interference and network congestion worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring channel usage information and using this information to guide channel selection decisions. The base station collects data on channel congestion levels and impairment characteristics, then uses this feedback to select channels that maximize bandwidth availability while minimizing the addition of network congestion and interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A base station may obtain channel usage information identifying usage of one or more unlicensed radio frequency (RF) spectrum bands. The base station may select a selected band, of the one or more unlicensed RF spectrum bands, based on the channel usage information. The base station may select one or more RF channels, of multiple RF channels included in the selected band, based on a congestion value of the selected band. The congestion value may be determined based on values of the channel usage information corresponding to the selected band. The selected RF channel may include an impaired RF channel that may not permit full bandwidth utilization due to constraints. The base station may communicate with user equipment via the one or more RF channels of the selected band.