Transmission Direction Signaling in Unlicensed Channel Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems using unauthorized frequency bands, the challenge is that terminals fail to detect transmission direction information due to competition for channel resources, leading to increased detection overhead and potential failure in sending SFI information.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow the network side device to send transmission direction information to terminals on available symbols after successfully occupying unlicensed band resources, using predefined time windows and configurations to minimize detection overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal detects SFI information at pre-configured detection period and location, then the transmission direction information can be obtained dynamically, but the base station may fail to occupy the channel at the preset position due to channel competition, resulting in failure to send SFI information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic transmission direction indicationVSAvoidSFI information delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fixed pre-configured detection position to a dynamic position that is determined after successful channel occupation. The SFI information is now sent at a flexible time point within the MCOT window rather than at a predetermined position, allowing the system to adapt to actual channel access outcomes while maintaining dynamic transmission direction indication capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary configuration of the MCOT window and possible SFI sending positions before actual transmission. The terminal is pre-configured with the MCOT duration and candidate time points, so that when the base station successfully occupies the channel, it can immediately send SFI information at an appropriate position within the pre-defined window without requiring real-time negotiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the terminal detects SFI information on each transmission unit, then the transmission direction information is continuously updated, but the detection overhead for the terminal increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission direction update frequencyVSAvoiddetection overhead time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the SFI detection requirement from every transmission unit and concentrates it into specific occasions - only when the base station successfully occupies the unlicensed channel and has data to transmit. By sending SFI information bundled with downlink data transmission rather than independently on each transmission unit, the detection overhead is significantly reduced while still providing timely transmission direction information when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3846566B1Method and device for indicating and determining transmission direction of transmission unit
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3846566B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3846566B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3846566B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for indicating and determining a transmission direction of a transmission unit, and a storage medium, wherein the method for indicating transmission direction of the transmission unit comprises: occupying an unlicensed channel resource; and sending, on an available transmission unit with the unlicensed channel resource thereof being occupied, information corresponding to a transmission direction of a transmission unit in a pre-defined time window to a terminal. According to the present disclosure, the problem of failing to notify transmission direction of the transmission unit in the pre-defined time window due to the fact that a network side device does not occupy a channel resource can be avoided.