Sidelink COT Sharing for Unlicensed Spectrum Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in channel occupancy time (COT) sharing for sidelink groupcast and broadcast communications, particularly in unlicensed spectra, where channel access is not guaranteed, leading to suboptimal utilization of available resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing COT sharing mechanisms in sidelink communications, where a responding UE determines whether to share the remaining COT based on whether the initiating UE is an intended recipient, allowing efficient reuse of the channel without additional listen-before-talk (LBT) procedures, thereby improving operational efficiency and avoiding propagation of COT sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If COT sharing is implemented in sidelink groupcast and broadcast communications, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but channel access complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the COT sharing mechanism into distinct phases: initialization phase where the first UE acquires COT through LBT, and sharing phase where the second UE transmits without LBT if conditions are met. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by simplifying channel access for resource-efficient sharing while maintaining structured control through phase division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring the first UE to perform LBT and acquire COT before enabling COT sharing. This preliminary channel access ensures fair spectrum sharing compliance is established in advance, allowing subsequent UEs to benefit from simplified access without compromising overall channel access fairness.
2Productivity
If COT sharing is allowed without LBT procedures, then operational efficiency is improved, but channel access fairness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing conditions that prevent unfair COT sharing before it occurs. The second UE must verify that the first UE is an intended recipient and that transmission conditions are satisfied before utilizing the shared COT, thereby preventing potential fairness violations in advance while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs monitor and verify COT sharing conditions, including checking whether the initiating UE is an intended recipient and whether transmission parameters are satisfied. This feedback ensures channel access fairness is maintained while allowing efficient COT utilization.
3Productivity
If COT sharing is propagated to all receiving UEs, then resource utilization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling COT sharing selectively based on local conditions at each receiving UE. The second UE determines whether to share COT based on specific conditions such as whether the first UE is an intended recipient and whether transmission conditions are met, rather than propagating COT sharing universally. This localized approach improves resource utilization while avoiding unnecessary system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless communications systems and methods related to channel occupancy time (COT) sharing for sidelink communications are provided. A first user equipment (UE) receives, from a second UE, a first sidelink transmission during a first channel occupancy time (COT), where the first COT is associated with the second UE. The first UE determines whether the second UE is one of two or more UEs intended to receive a second sidelink transmission. The first UE transmits, to the two or more UEs, the second sidelink transmission during a portion of the first COT based on COT sharing. The COT sharing is in response to determining the second UE is one of the two or more UEs intended to receive the second sidelink transmission.