SRS-Based Uplink COT Sharing for Unlicensed Spectrum
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in channel occupancy time (COT) management, particularly in unlicensed spectra, leading to increased latency and resource consumption due to the need for PUSCH transmissions and CSI computations, which are time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a base station triggers a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission from a UE to initiate a shared COT, allowing for dynamic clear channel assessment-based SRS transmissions without PUSCH data, reducing network resource consumption and latency by using the SRS to initiate downlink data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PUSCH transmissions and CSI computations are used for channel occupancy time management, then channel access can be achieved, but latency increases and network resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the PUSCH transmission and CSI computation steps from the traditional COT management process. By using SRS transmission instead, the system removes the time-consuming data transmission and processing overhead while retaining the essential function of initiating channel occupancy time for downlink transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the UE initiate the COT through uplink SRS transmission, which then allows the gNB to perform downlink transmissions within the shared COT. This reversal eliminates the need for the gNB to perform lengthy COT acquisition procedures while maintaining reliable channel access.
2Reliability
If PUSCH transmissions are performed for COT initiation, then channel occupancy can be established, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary PUSCH data transmission component from the COT initiation process. By using SRS (sounding reference signal) alone without accompanying PUSCH transmissions, the system establishes channel occupancy while eliminating the waste of network resources on transmitting dummy or minimal data packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The SRS transmission serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the COT initiation signal, provides uplink channel sounding information, and enables the gNB to assess channel conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate PUSCH transmissions that would otherwise be required for channel access.
3Reliability
If traditional COT management procedures are used, then channel access is achieved, but processing time increases due to CSI computations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the CSI (channel state information) computation requirement from the COT initiation process. By relying on the SRS transmission itself and simpler LBT procedures, the system achieves channel access without the time-consuming CSI calculations that would otherwise be necessary for optimal transmission parameter selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The SRS transmission is performed in advance as a preliminary action that simultaneously initiates the COT and provides the gNB with sufficient channel information. This preliminary SRS transmission eliminates the need for subsequent CSI computation steps that would delay the start of downlink data transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive, from a base station, a grant including information for triggering a clear channel assessment based sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission. The UE may perform the clear channel assessment for a channel based at least in part on receiving the grant. The UE may transmit, to the base station, the SRS that initiates a shared channel occupancy time (COT) on the channel based at least in part on performing the clear channel assessment. Numerous other aspects are provided.