UE Fixed Frame Period Offsets for Fair Unlicensed Channel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems operating in unlicensed spectrum, there is a challenge in ensuring fair coexistence with incumbent devices and efficient channel access, particularly when using frame based equipment (FBE) mode, where base stations transmit at fixed time instances, leading to potential conflicts and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) determines a fixed frame period (FFP) with idle periods offset from the base station's FFP, refraining from transmitting during these idle periods to align with the base station's transmission gaps, thereby avoiding collisions and optimizing channel access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If base station transmits at fixed time instances in FBE mode, then channel access efficiency is improved, but conflicts with incumbent devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic channel access for the base station using fixed frame periods (FFP) in FBE mode, where the base station transmits at regular intervals. This periodic transmission pattern improves channel access efficiency by providing predictable, scheduled access times while allowing incumbent devices to access the channel during idle periods between base station transmissions, thereby reducing conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the channel access timeline into distinct base station transmission periods and idle periods. During base station transmission periods, the base station accesses the channel efficiently, while during idle periods, incumbent devices can access the channel without interference. This temporal segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing dedicated access windows for different device types.
2Productivity
If UE transmits continuously in FBE mode, then channel utilization is improved, but collisions with base station increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action to UE transmissions by configuring UEs to transmit only during specific time windows within the fixed frame period, rather than continuously. This periodic transmission pattern maintains channel utilization by ensuring regular UE access opportunities while preventing collisions with base station transmissions through temporal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time window configuration where the UE transmission opportunities are adjusted based on base station transmission patterns. The network can dynamically configure uplink time windows for UEs to ensure they transmit during periods when the base station is not transmitting, thereby maintaining high channel utilization while avoiding collisions through adaptive scheduling.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UE uses offset FFP from base station, then fair coexistence with incumbent devices is improved, but transmission coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by configuring UEs with offset fixed frame periods relative to the base station. This offset configuration creates asymmetric transmission timing where UE idle periods are shifted relative to base station idle periods, allowing both to coexist fairly with incumbent devices while maintaining simple, rule-based coordination that does not require complex real-time negotiation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may determine a fixed frame period (FFP) configured for the UE in a frame based equipment mode. The FFP configured for the UE includes one or more idle periods and a channel occupancy time that is offset from an FFP configured for a base station communicating with the UE over an unlicensed channel. The UE may refrain from transmitting over the unlicensed channel during the one or more idle periods. The one or more idle periods may at least partially overlap with a time period in which the base station refrains from transmitting over the unlicensed channel. Numerous other aspects are provided.