UE-Initiated Channel Occupancy Sharing for Fair 5G NR Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3GPP 5G NR communication systems face inefficiencies in utilizing unlicensed spectrum due to limitations in sharing UE-initiated Channel Occupancy Times (COTs) among network devices, leading to suboptimal spectrum utilization and unfair access among different technologies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mechanisms for base stations to capture and utilize UE-initiated COTs by allowing controlled sharing with other UEs, including restrictions and protocols to ensure fair and efficient spectrum access, such as LBT operations and ED threshold configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If base stations are allowed to capture and share UE-initiated COTs with other UEs, then spectrum utilization is enhanced and access fairness is improved, but device complexity and protocol overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the COT sharing mechanism into distinct phases: initial LBT by UE, base station capture phase, and controlled sharing phase with other UEs. Each phase has specific rules and protocols, allowing complex COT management to be broken down into manageable segments that improve spectrum utilization without overwhelming device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic COT sharing where the base station can adaptively control which UEs share the channel and for what duration. The sharing parameters (time windows, UE selection, data rates) are dynamically adjusted based on channel conditions and traffic requirements, enabling flexible spectrum utilization while maintaining manageable protocol complexity through adaptive rather than static rules
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple UEs share the same COT simultaneously, then access fairness among different technologies is improved, but interference management and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the initiating UE perform LBT and acquire the channel before other UEs can share it. The base station then pre-configures the sharing parameters and selects which UEs will share the COT before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary setup reduces coordination overhead during active transmission while ensuring fair access across different technologies
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that coordinates COT sharing among multiple UEs. It receives sharing requests, determines fairness criteria, selects participating UEs, and manages the sharing timeline. This intermediary role centralizes coordination complexity at the base station rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination between UEs, improving access fairness while managing coordination overhead
3Adaptability or versatility
If base stations capture COT for transmissions to non-initiating UEs, then communication flexibility is improved, but channel access reliability for initiating UE may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to balance flexibility and reliability: the base station captures COT for non-initiating UE transmissions only within specific time windows that do not conflict with the initiating UE's allocated resources. Transmission parameters such as power levels, time durations, and frequency resources are adjusted to ensure the initiating UE's reliable access is maintained while enabling flexible communications with other UEs
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for sharing a user equipment—initiated channel occupancy time.