Unlicensed Carrier Access Point Continuous Occupation Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE-U systems face inefficiencies in spectrum use due to lengthy processes like synchronization and CSI measurement after preempting unlicensed carrier resources, which reduces system performance and capacity.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adopting a continuous occupation mode where the access point maintains a connection with UE during sub-occupation periods, allowing for reduced reconnection times and fair contention, by setting sub-occupation periods and monitoring intervals to optimize resource use and minimize overhead processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the access point preempts unlicensed carrier resources and performs synchronization, downlink receiving, CSI measurement, uplink feedback and scheduling processes, then the system can maintain proper communication protocols and measurement accuracy, but the time consumption for these processes occupies a large proportion of the preempted resource time, greatly reducing spectrum use efficiency and system performance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCSI measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption for overhead processes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The access point performs synchronization, channel estimation, and CSI measurement processes in advance before actually needing to transmit data on the unlicensed carrier. By preparing these communication parameters beforehand, the system reduces the time required for overhead processes during the actual data transmission period, thereby improving spectrum use efficiency while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the access point releases the connection relationship with UE immediately after sub-occupation period ends, then the resource can be quickly made available for other systems, but the access point needs to spend time reestablishing connection and performing synchronization operations at the next preemption, reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum use efficiencyVSAvoidreconnection and synchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The access point maintains the connection relationship with the UE continuously across multiple sub-occupation periods rather than releasing and reestablishing the connection each time. This continuous connection approach eliminates the need for repeated synchronization and connection setup procedures, reducing time loss while allowing the unlicensed carrier to be shared among multiple access points through controlled preemption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of time

If the access point continuously occupies the unlicensed carrier for extended periods, then the connection with UE can be maintained and reconnection time reduced, but the maximum continuous occupation time is controlled by country regulations to ensure fair contention among systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconnection and synchronization timeVSAvoidfair contention capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous occupation period is divided into multiple sub-occupation periods, where the access point can preempt the unlicensed carrier for data transmission in each sub-period while maintaining the connection with the UE across periods. This segmentation allows the system to comply with maximum continuous occupation time limits by country regulations while still benefiting from reduced reconnection overhead through maintained connection state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access point dynamically adjusts its occupation strategy by releasing the unlicensed carrier when another access point needs to contend for the resource, while maintaining the connection relationship with the UE for future re-preemption. This dynamic approach ensures fair contention among multiple access points while minimizing connection setup overhead through the continuous connection maintenance mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3197222B1Sending method and device for occupying an unlicensed carrier
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 ZTE CORP
  • EP3197222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3197222B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3197222B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Provided are a method and a device for sending by occupying an unlicensed carrier, and an access point, herein the method includes that an access point occupies an unlicensed carrier according to a continuous occupation mode and sending data and/or signals on the unlicensed carrier. Or the access point occupies the unlicensed carrier according to the continuous occupation mode or an ordinary mode and sends a downlink reference signal on the unlicensed carrier according to a preset policy. The technical solution provided by the present invention can reduce the time needed for the access point to process operations such as synchronization and CSI acquisition other than data sending after the access point preempts a resource at each time.