UE Channel Occupancy Management in Unlicensed Spectrum Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing unlicensed spectrum for beamformed transmission, particularly in high-frequency bands where the number of concurrent high-gain beams is limited due to cost and complexity constraints, leading to reduced cell coverage and increased path loss.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves a User Equipment (UE) that monitors control signals indicating channel occupancy and TTI (Transmission Time Interval) information, deriving transmission direction and functionality, and performing data reception or transmission until the ending TTI, optimizing beamforming in the UE to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamformed transmission is used in high-frequency bands, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the number of concurrent high-gain beams is limited due to cost and complexity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the unlicensed spectrum channel occupancy into multiple Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs) with different formats. Each TTI can be configured with different beamforming parameters, allowing the system to switch between different beam configurations dynamically. This segmentation enables multiple concurrent beams to be formed by allocating different TTIs to different beam directions, thereby increasing the number of concurrent high-gain beams without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic TTI format configuration where the network can flexibly adjust the number and format of TTIs within a channel occupancy period based on traffic demands and channel conditions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adaptively optimize beamforming parameters, enabling more concurrent beams to be formed when needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using standard beamforming capabilities across different TTI configurations.
2Area of stationary object
If more concurrent high-gain beams are implemented, then cell coverage is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the TTI structure universal and multi-functional by designing it to support multiple purposes within a single channel occupancy period. The same TTI framework can accommodate different beamforming configurations, modulation schemes, and data rates. This universality allows the system to achieve extended cell coverage through multiple beams without requiring separate dedicated structures for each beam, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining the capability to form multiple high-gain beams for improved coverage.
3Quantity of substance
If unlicensed spectrum is utilized for beamformed transmission, then bandwidth is increased, but path loss increases in high-frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting TTI formats and beamforming parameters based on channel conditions. In high-frequency bands where path loss is significant, the system can configure longer TTIs with higher gain beamforming parameters to compensate for the increased path loss. The flexible TTI structure allows optimization of transmission parameters such as modulation order, coding rate, and beam width to maintain effective communication over longer distances in unlicensed spectrum, thereby mitigating the impact of high path loss while utilizing the available bandwidth.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a UE (User Equipment). In one embodiment, the method includes the UE monitors or receives a control signal within a channel occupancy, wherein the control signal indicates a number of consecutive TTIs (Transmission Time Intervals) and TTI format(s) related information of the TTIs. The method further includes the UE derives transmission direction of symbols in the TTIs or functionality of symbols in the TTIs from the information. The method also includes the UE considers the last TTI of the indicated TTIs as an ending TTI of the channel occupancy. In addition, the method includes the UE performs DL (Downlink) data reception or UL (Uplink) data transmission until the ending TTI.