Shared-Spectrum Uplink Access Through Random Access Response Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in signal transmission and reception procedures, particularly in shared spectrum environments, where determining channel occupancy and performing channel access procedures can be cumbersome and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for wireless communication systems that enable efficient channel access procedures by confining scheduled uplink transmissions and random access responses within a shared spectrum period, allowing UE to skip unnecessary determination steps and BS to assume transmission without additional sensing, based on shared period confinement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE performs complete channel access procedures including determination of BS-initiated channel occupancy, then channel access reliability is improved, but procedure complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs channel sensing and determines channel occupancy status in advance before scheduling uplink transmissions. The BS includes this determination result in the random access response, so the UE receives pre-processed channel status information without needing to perform independent determination procedures, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The random access response acts as an intermediary carrier that conveys the BS's channel occupancy determination result to the UE. This intermediary mechanism allows the UE to trust the BS's channel assessment without performing its own sensing, simplifying the UE's channel access procedure while ensuring reliable access decisions
2Measurement precision
If the UE performs channel sensing and determination procedures, then channel access accuracy is improved, but transmission time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs channel sensing and accuracy determination in advance, before the UE needs to access the channel. By including the determination result in the random access response, the BS eliminates the need for the UE to perform time-consuming sensing and determination procedures, reducing transmission latency while maintaining accurate channel access decisions
3Reliability
If additional channel determination procedures are implemented, then channel access reliability is improved, but resource consumption and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The random access response is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it not only provides uplink scheduling information but also conveys the BS's channel occupancy determination result. This multi-functionality allows the existing random access procedure to provide reliable channel access information without requiring separate determination procedures, avoiding additional resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The base station determines channel occupancy status in advance and includes this information in the random access response. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the UE to perform additional energy-consuming determination procedures, reducing resource consumption while maintaining reliable channel access
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) may perform a channel access procedure for a scheduled uplink (UL) transmission on a shared spectrum based on a random access response. When it is indicated that the scheduled UL transmission is associated with channel occupancy initiated by a base station (BS) and the UE needs to perform channel sensing for the scheduled UL transmission, the UE may perform the channel access procedure for the scheduled UL transmission, based on whether reception of the random access response and the scheduled UL transmission are confined within a same period among periods configured in the shared spectrum.