SDMA Spatial Layer Reservation for Multi-Operator Spectrum Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems that employ priority-based coordinated access schemes for spectrum sharing only consider medium sharing over time and frequency, lacking efficient mechanisms for spatial dimension sharing, which limits the granularity and efficiency of spectrum utilization among multiple network operating entities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spatial-division multiple access (SDMA) that allows network operating entities to share spatial layers in addition to time and frequency dimensions, enabling finer granularity in medium sharing through mechanisms like spatial layer reservations and channel sounding, facilitated by signaling and scheduling techniques such as reservation response (RRS) and sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If priority-based coordinated access scheme is used for spectrum sharing, then medium sharing over time and frequency is achieved, but spatial dimension sharing is lacking which limits spectrum utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends spectrum sharing from traditional time and frequency dimensions to include the spatial dimension by implementing spatial-division multiple access (SDMA). Network operating entities reserve and share spatial layers independently, allowing simultaneous transmissions in different spatial directions without interfering with each other, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.
2Productivity
If spatial layer reservations are implemented for SDMA, then finer granularity in medium sharing is achieved, but device complexity increases due to signaling and scheduling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spatial dimension into multiple independent spatial layers that can be individually reserved and managed. Each network operating entity can reserve specific spatial layers for its transmissions, allowing fine-grained control of spectrum sharing while maintaining manageable complexity through modular layer-based management rather than holistic spatial management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary reservation of spatial layers before actual data transmission. Network operating entities exchange reservation information in advance, allowing receivers to prepare for incoming transmissions from specific spatial directions. This preliminary action reduces real-time signaling complexity while maintaining fine-grained medium sharing efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If channel sounding is used for spatial layer detection, then spatial channel information is obtained, but use of energy increases due to additional reference signal transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes reference signals multi-functional by designing them to serve both as channel sounding probes for spatial layer detection and as data transmission carriers. The same reference signal structure is used for both measurement purposes and actual communication, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sounding signals and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Wireless communications systems and methods related to SDMA operations across multiple network operating entities are provided. A first wireless communication device transmits a communication indicating a reservation for one or more spatial layers in a transmission opportunity (TXOP) of a shared spectrum. The shared spectrum is shared by a first network operating entity and a second network operating entity. The first wireless communication device is associated with the first network operating entity. The first wireless communication device communicates, with a second wireless communication device, data over the one or more spatial layers during the TXOP. The second wireless communication device is associated with the first network operating entity.