Slot Format Indication for Unlicensed 5G Partial Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR communication systems operating on unlicensed spectra, the lack of definition for partial slot formats and modes of indication leads to adverse impacts on communication between base stations and User Equipment (UE), resulting in increased power consumption and transmission delays due to the need for blind detection and permission requests during partial slot occupancy.
Innovation Solution
A method for slot format indication is introduced, where a base station sends slot format indication information to UE indicating link formats of N symbols in a target partial slot, allowing UE to determine link formats and transmit data without permission requests and blind detection, thereby reducing power consumption and transmission delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a base station occupies a channel on an unlicensed spectrum in the middle of a full slot, then partial slot occupancy is achieved, but link format determination becomes uncertain requiring blind detection
Solution Approach 1:
The base station sends slot format indication information to the UE before the UE needs to transmit data in the partial slot. This preliminary indication allows the UE to know the link format in advance, eliminating the need for blind detection and reducing detection difficulty while maintaining channel occupancy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Slot format indication information acts as an intermediary between the base station's channel occupancy decision and the UE's data transmission. This intermediary carries the link format information, resolving the uncertainty that would otherwise require blind detection
2Reliability
If UE performs blind detection and permission requests during partial slot occupancy, then link format uncertainty is addressed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides slot format indication information in advance, allowing the UE to determine the link format before transmission without performing blind detection. This preliminary information provision maintains communication reliability while significantly reducing UE power consumption by eliminating unnecessary detection operations
Solution Approach 2:
The slot format indication information enables the UE to self-determine the link format without requiring interactive permission requests or blind detection procedures. The UE uses the provided indication information to autonomously configure its transmission, reducing energy-consuming communication overhead
3Measurement precision
If UE performs blind detection during partial slot occupancy, then link format is determined, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station sends slot format indication information before the UE needs to transmit data in the partial slot. This preliminary indication provides accurate link format information in advance, eliminating the time required for blind detection and permission request procedures while maintaining determination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The slot format indication mechanism allows the system to skip the time-consuming blind detection and permission request steps. The UE directly uses the provided indication information to configure transmission, rushing through the data transmission process without the delays associated with format determination
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, devices, systems, and storage mediums for slot format indication are provided. The method includes sending, in response to detecting that a target channel is in an idle state, slot format indication information to UE through a target channel. The slot format indication information being configured to indicate link formats of N symbols included in a target partial slot, and N being a positive integer less than 14. The target partial slot is located in a time period during which a base station occupies the target channel, and the target channel is located on an unlicensed spectrum.