Sidelink COT Configuration for Unlicensed Resource Pool Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sidelink (SL) communication over unlicensed bands, the need for a Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure to acquire a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) can impact the efficiency of resource selection and sensing procedures, particularly in local service areas for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems.
Innovation Solution
A COT sharing mechanism where local UEs receive configuration information from a COT provider indicating whether a LBT procedure is required before SL transmission, allowing them to perform transmissions within the COT based on this information, thereby reducing the need for continuous LBT checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure is performed to acquire Channel Occupancy Time (COT) for SL transmission in unlicensed bands, then channel access reliability is improved, but resource selection and sensing procedure efficiency deteriorates due to continuous LBT checks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the LBT procedure in advance to acquire COT before SL transmission. The gNB performs LBT to secure channel access and determines COT duration beforehand, then communicates this to the UE. This allows the UE to perform SL transmission within the predetermined COT without performing additional LBT checks, thus resolving the contradiction by ensuring reliable channel access while improving resource selection and sensing efficiency.
2Reliability
If continuous LBT checks are performed by local UEs before SL transmission, then channel collision avoidance is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to repeated sensing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LBT procedure from the UE's transmission process and concentrates it at the gNB. The gNB performs the LBT procedure to acquire COT and determines the transmission opportunities for UEs. This extraction eliminates the need for UEs to perform continuous LBT checks, thereby maintaining channel collision avoidance through gNB's centralized channel access while significantly improving communication efficiency by removing repeated sensing overhead at the UE side.
3Speed
If preconfigured resource pools are used for SL transmission, then resource allocation speed is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to LBT procedure interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by establishing COT-based transmission opportunities that allow UEs to perform SL transmission continuously within the acquired COT without interrupted LBT procedures. The gNB determines COT duration and communicates transmission opportunities to UEs, enabling them to utilize preconfigured resource pools continuously. This maintains fast resource allocation speed while improving resource utilization efficiency by eliminating LBT procedure interruptions during the COT period.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of Channel Occupancy Time (COT) for Sidelink (SL) communication in Unlicensed band (U-band). The method includes receiving, at a first device and from a second device, configuration information associated with a COT at least for a SL transmission of the first device on an unlicensed resource pool allocated for the first device, the configuration information at least indicating whether a listen before talk procedure is required to be performed at the first device within the COT before the SL transmission; and performing the SL transmission within the COT based on the configuration information. In this way, the COT sharing mechanism can be used for SL communications in U-band and therefore a sensing procedure for resource selection may not be impacted by the LBT procedure.