UE Channel Access Control on Shared Spectrum

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the existing channel access procedures on shared spectra face challenges in efficiently managing uplink transmissions, particularly in scenarios where UE-initiated channel occupancy is not allowed during certain periods, leading to inefficiencies and potential interference.

Innovation Solution

A method for performing channel access on a shared spectrum by determining whether uplink transmissions are allowed based on configuration information, allowing UE-initiated channel access in specific periods, and switching to base station-initiated channel occupancy if necessary, ensuring efficient resource utilization and minimizing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If UE-initiated channel occupancy is allowed during the first period, then uplink transmission efficiency is improved, but channel access conflicts and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission efficiencyVSAvoidchannel access conflicts and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel access control by configuring specific periods (first period and second period) with different access rules. During the first period, UE-initiated channel occupancy is restricted for contention-based random access, while during the second period, it is allowed. This dynamic temporal segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing efficient UE access when the channel is clear while preventing conflicts during periods when base station occupancy is expected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic channel access patterns by defining recurring first periods and second periods within the channel occupancy time structure. This periodic alternation between restricted and permitted UE access phases enables the system to achieve both high transmission efficiency (during permitted phases) and low interference (during restricted phases), resolving the technical contradiction through rhythmic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If UE-initiated channel occupancy is restricted during the first period, then channel access conflicts are reduced, but uplink transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access conflictsVSAvoiduplink transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between two operational modes: during the first period, UE-initiated access is restricted to minimize conflicts; during the second period, UE-initiated access is permitted to maximize transmission efficiency. This dynamic adaptation to different time windows resolves the contradiction by ensuring that efficiency gains are achieved without causing conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The channel occupancy time is segmented into distinct first periods and second periods with different access permissions. This temporal segmentation allows the system to isolate conflict-prone operations from efficiency-critical operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing conflicts and maintaining efficiency through structured division of access rights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If base station-initiated channel occupancy is used, then interference is minimized, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic alternation between base station-initiated occupancy phases (first period with restricted UE access) and UE-initiated occupancy phases (second period with permitted UE access). This periodic switching allows the system to minimize interference during base station phases while maximizing resource utilization during UE phases, thereby resolving the contradiction through rhythmic resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically transitions between base station-controlled and UE-controlled channel occupancy modes based on the current period configuration. This dynamic resource allocation enables the system to adaptively balance interference minimization (when base station controls) and efficiency maximization (when UE can initiate access), resolving the technical contradiction through flexible temporal control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4210420B1Method of performing a channel access procedure on a shared spectrum, computer readable medium, usre equipment, method of receioving a signal on a shared spectrum and base station
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4210420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4210420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4210420B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) may receive configuration information for channel access based on UE-initiated channel occupancy on a shared spectrum and determine whether an uplink (UL) transmission associated with the UE-initiated channel occupancy is allowed during a first period that is based on the configuration information. Based on that resources for the UL transmission associated with the UE-initiated channel occupancy in the first period are related to a contention-based random access procedure, the UE may determine that the UL transmission associated with the UE-initiated channel occupancy is not allowed in the first period.