User Equipment Interference Reporting for Unlicensed Band LBT
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of LTE systems, the listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure based on power detection in unlicensed bands faces challenges in preventing interference, as it is difficult for base stations to detect all interference sources, particularly those not detectable by the base station but detectable by user equipment, and obtaining information from other operators' base stations is challenging.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves user equipment receiving measurement instructions from base stations to search for radio signals in unlicensed bands, measure their power, and report back, allowing the base station to determine whether to use a frequency channel based on the number of interference sources and their power levels, thereby facilitating interference prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base station performs LBT procedure based on power detection in unlicensed band, then channel access control is achieved, but interference detection accuracy deteriorates due to limited detection capability of base station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection capabilities of base station and user equipment by having the user equipment measure interference power and report it to the base station. This merging of detection functions allows the system to overcome the limited detection capability of the base station alone, improving both interference detection accuracy and prevention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The user equipment acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the base station's need for interference information and its limited detection capability. The user equipment measures interference in the unlicensed band and relays this information to the base station, enabling accurate interference detection without requiring enhanced base station hardware.
2Ease of operation
If base station uses LBT procedure to check frequency channel availability, then channel access control is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional measurement and reporting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The user equipment performs self-service by autonomously measuring interference power in the unlicensed band and generating reports. This eliminates the need for the base station to directly perform measurements, simplifying the base station's operation while maintaining ease of channel access control through automated user equipment reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by having the user equipment measure only the necessary interference parameters and report only relevant information to the base station. This selective measurement approach achieves adequate channel access control without requiring comprehensive system-wide measurement and reporting infrastructure.
3Reliability
If user equipment reports interference measurement information to base station, then interference prevention capability is improved, but information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential interference measurement information from the user equipment and transmits it to the base station. By taking out only the necessary data elements (interference power levels, frequency channel identifiers) rather than complete measurement datasets, the system improves interference prevention capability while minimizing information transmission overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment, method used in a user equipment, and an apparatus for a user equipment include receiving from a first cell operated in a licensed band, configuration information configuring a second cell operated in an unlicensed band, performing a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure on the second cell, counting a number of failures of the LBT procedure on the second cell, and transmitting information based on the number of failures of the LBT procedure on the second cell, to the first cell operated in the licensed band, the information indicating the failure of the LBT procedure on the second cell.