Single Sensing Beam Channel Access for Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks operating in unlicensed spectrum, existing listen-before-talk (LBT) procedures are inefficient as they require channel sensing for each transmission beam direction, leading to increased network resource usage and potential interference due to mismatched sensing and transmission beam characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a single sensing beam is used to determine channel availability for multiple transmission beams by assessing beam coverage information, allowing for energy detection threshold adjustments to match the sensitivity of the transmission beams, thereby reducing channel sensing overhead and improving spectrum sharing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If channel sensing is performed for each transmission beam direction using existing LBT procedures, then channel availability can be determined for each beam, but network resource usage increases and interference potential increases due to mismatched sensing and transmission beam characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single sensing beam to serve multiple transmission beam directions. The beam coverage information obtained from one sensing beam is reused to determine channel availability for multiple transmission beams, making the sensing operation multi-functional and reducing redundant channel access procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the energy detection threshold based on beam coverage information. When a sensing beam has wider coverage than transmission beams, the threshold is increased to compensate for the sensitivity mismatch, maintaining accurate channel detection while using a single sensing direction
2Reliability
If channel sensing is performed for each transmission beam direction, then beam-specific channel availability is determined, but the complexity of channel access procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple channel sensing operations into a single sensing procedure. By combining beam coverage information from the sensing beam with transmission beam characteristics, the system determines channel availability for multiple beams simultaneously, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining beam coverage information for sensing beams. This coverage information is stored and reused for subsequent channel access decisions across multiple transmission beams, eliminating the need for repeated sensing operations and reducing procedural complexity
3Area of stationary object
If multiple sensing beams are used to cover different transmission beam directions, then channel sensing coverage is improved, but the overhead of channel sensing operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single sensing beam multi-functional by using it to assess channel availability for multiple transmission beam directions. The beam coverage information from one sensing operation serves multiple purposes, covering different transmission directions without requiring additional sensing beams or operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by reusing beam coverage information from a single sensing beam across multiple transmission beam scenarios. Instead of performing separate sensing operations, the system copies and applies the coverage information to determine channel availability for different transmission directions, reducing time overhead
Data Source
AI summary
A method for wireless communication includes a first wireless communication device receiving, from a second wireless communication device, one or more signals for each of a plurality of candidate sensing beams and a transmission beam. The method also includes determining, for each of the plurality of candidate sensing beams based on at least one of the one or more signals for the respective candidate sensing beam, a first signal measurement. The method also includes determining, based on at least one of the one or more signals for the transmission beam, a second signal measurement with respect to a direction of the transmission beam, and determining, for each of the plurality of candidate sensing beams based on the respective first signal measurement and the second signal measurement, beam coverage information with respect to the transmission beam direction.