Terminal LBT Without Random Backoff for D2D COT Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In newly-operated higher frequency bands, device-to-device (D2D) communication in unlicensed bands faces challenges with Listen Before Talk (LBT) failures due to multiple terminals attempting transmissions during Channel Occupancy Time (COT) sharing.

Innovation Solution

A terminal is configured to perform LBT without random backoff immediately after a first signal related to D2D direct communication in an unlicensed band, and to transmit a second signal if the LBT is successful, with a configured Cyclic-Prefix extension (CPE) length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple terminals perform LBT with random backoff during COT sharing in unlicensed band, then channel access compliance is improved, but LBT failure rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLBT success rateVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the first terminal perform LBT with random backoff to acquire COT before other terminals attempt transmissions. Subsequent terminals within the COT perform LBT without random backoff, leveraging the preliminary channel acquisition to improve their LBT success rates while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the channel access process into two phases: initial COT acquisition phase where random backoff is applied, and subsequent COT sharing phase where random backoff is omitted. This segmentation allows different LBT strategies to be applied at different stages, improving overall transmission efficiency while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If LBT with random backoff is performed by each terminal during COT sharing, then channel access regulation compliance is improved, but transmission delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulation complianceVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first terminal performs the time-consuming LBT with random backoff as a preliminary action to secure the COT. This preliminary channel acquisition eliminates the need for subsequent terminals to perform identical time-consuming LBT procedures, reducing overall transmission delay while maintaining regulatory compliance through the initial proper LBT execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If COT sharing is implemented in unlicensed band D2D communication, then spectrum utilization is improved, but LBT failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidLBT success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary action by having one terminal successfully acquire COT through LBT with random backoff before other terminals share the channel. This preliminary successful channel acquisition creates a reliable foundation for subsequent COT sharing, improving overall LBT success rates while enabling better spectrum utilization through multiple terminal access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4568419A1Terminal and communication method
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4568419A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4568419A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4568419A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A terminal includes: a control unit configured to perform an LBT (Listen before talk) without a random backoff immediately after a first signal related to device-to-device direct communication that is transmitted in a COT (Channel occupancy time) obtained by one of terminals in an unlicensed band; and a transmission unit configured to transmit a second signal in a case where the LBT is successful. The control unit configures a CPE (Cyclic-Prefix extension) length that is applied to the second signal.