Unlicensed Channel Acquisition via User Equipment Negotiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems operating in unlicensed frequency bands face inefficiencies in acquiring available channels due to blind channel detection mechanisms, leading to potential channel interference and low acquisition efficiency, particularly when coexisting with WLAN systems.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that involves a user equipment receiving a channel negotiation request from a base station, sending a channel list to an access point within a preset range, and performing channel conflict detection to switch to a non-conflicting channel, thereby improving channel acquisition efficiency in unlicensed frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the LTE system uses blind channel monitoring to acquire unlicensed channels, then the system can operate in unlicensed bands, but the channel acquisition efficiency is low and channel conflicts with WLAN occur frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel acquisition efficiencyVSAvoidchannel availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the base station send a channel negotiation request to user equipment before actually using the unlicensed channel. The user equipment then performs channel detection and sends channel status information back to the base station in advance, allowing the base station to acquire channels more efficiently without blind monitoring conflicts with WLAN systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanism where user equipment detects channel status and sends channel status information back to the base station. This feedback loop allows the base station to make informed decisions about channel acquisition based on real-time channel conditions, improving both acquisition efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the LTE system monitors channels continuously to detect WLAN activity, then channel conflicts can be avoided, but the system cannot acquire channels efficiently when channels are continuously monitored as busy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel conflict avoidanceVSAvoidchannel acquisition efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling user equipment to perform channel detection and provide channel status information to the base station. This distributes the channel monitoring function from the base station to the user equipment, allowing the base station to acquire channels more efficiently while user equipment handles the detection work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the base station acquires unlicensed channels without coordination, then the system can use available bandwidth, but channel interference with WLAN systems occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidchannel interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces user equipment as an intermediary between the base station and the unlicensed channel environment. The user equipment detects channel status and provides information to the base station, acting as a mediator that enables the base station to utilize bandwidth efficiently while avoiding interference with WLAN systems through informed channel selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3399785B1Unlicensed frequency band-based communication method, related device, and system
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 YULONG COMPUTER TELECOMM SCI (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3399785B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3399785B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3399785B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a communication method based on unlicensed frequency bands, a related equipment and a system, in which, the method includes: receiving a channel negotiation request, which includes a channel list that records information of a target unlicensed channel, the target unlicensed channel being a channel that needs to be used by the base station and in an unlicensed frequency band; responding to the channel negotiation request, and sending the channel list to an access point (AP) within a preset range, to instruct the AP to work through a channel included in the channel list except the target unlicensed channel; notifying the base station to communicate based on the target unlicensed channel, when a response message returned by the AP for the channel list is received. By utilizing embodiments of the present disclosure, efficiency of acquiring available channels in an unlicensed frequency band can be improved effectively.