Terminal Frame Configuration for Prioritized Unlicensed Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing access to contention-based resources, particularly in unlicensed frequency bands, due to varying device types and traffic profiles, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in prioritizing certain UEs and services.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that allows terminals and base stations to determine an operating mode and select a frame configuration with adjustable parameters such as offset, Channel Occupancy Time, idle duration, frame duration, and gap duration to optimize contention-based access, enabling differentiated access for different UE modes and services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single frame configuration is used for all terminals, then device complexity is reduced, but service prioritization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame configuration into multiple types (first frame configuration and second frame configuration) that can be selectively applied to different terminals based on their operating modes. This segmentation allows the system to provide differentiated resource allocation - for example, connected mode terminals can use a configuration optimized for low latency while idle mode terminals use a different configuration, thereby achieving service prioritization without requiring all terminals to handle the full complexity of multiple configurations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic frame configuration selection where terminals can switch between different frame configurations based on their operating mode changes (e.g., transitioning between connected and idle modes). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing traffic requirements in real-time, improving service prioritization capability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated mode-based selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frame configurations are provided for different terminals, then service prioritization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables terminals to automatically select the appropriate frame configuration based on their own operating mode without requiring complex network-side configuration management for each terminal. The terminal monitors its own state (connected, idle, inactive) and autonomously applies the corresponding frame configuration, thereby achieving service prioritization while minimizing the complexity burden on both the terminal and network equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key frame parameters (such as frame period, subframe structure, resource allocation patterns) based on the terminal's operating mode. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining fixed complex configurations, the system achieves fine-grained service prioritization capability while keeping the configuration management relatively simple through parameter-based adaptation rather than structurally complex configurations.
3Productivity
If contention-based access is used in unlicensed bands, then spectrum utilization is improved, but access reliability deteriorates due to collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary actions by having connected mode terminals perform channel sensing and acquire channel occupancy time (COT) before idle mode terminals attempt access. This preliminary acquisition of transmission rights by high-priority terminals reduces the probability of collisions when lower-priority idle terminals later attempt to access the channel, thereby improving transmission reliability while maintaining the contention-based spectrum utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces periodic frame structures with designated access opportunities for different terminal modes. By organizing contention-based access into periodic frames with specific patterns (e.g., some frames favoring connected mode terminals, others allowing idle mode access), the system maintains high spectrum utilization through regular contention opportunities while reducing collision probability through structured temporal separation of access attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining an operating mode of a first terminal of the one or more terminals; selecting, based on the operating mode, a first frame configuration from a plurality of frame configurations for the first terminal, each of the plurality of frame configurations configuring one or more of: an offset parameter determining the start of a frame, a Channel Occupancy Time “COT” duration in a frame, an idle duration in a frame, a frame duration, a frame period and a gap duration between two subsequent frames; and communicating between the first terminal and the base station and via the first frequency band, using contention-based access and based on the first frame configuration.