Unlicensed Sidelink Consecutive Transmission with LBT-Aware Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of efficiently utilizing unlicensed spectrum for sidelink communication in wireless networks, particularly in NR-U, is exacerbated by the need for proper LBT schemes and channel access procedures, which current technologies do not adequately address the transmission of multiple MAC PDUs.
Innovation Solution
A UE is configured to determine consecutive resources for transmitting multiple MAC PDUs, selecting initial and retransmission resources based on available data, priority, and channel occupancy time, while considering LBT failures and channel access priority classes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LBT procedures are performed for each transmission on unlicensed spectrum, then channel access reliability is improved, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs LBT procedures in advance for multiple consecutive transmissions before actual data transfer. The UE determines a set of consecutive resources and performs LBT on these resources beforehand, establishing a valid transmission window. This preliminary action ensures that when data needs to be transmitted, the channel is already validated, reducing transmission delay while maintaining reliability through pre-performed LBT.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous transmission across multiple consecutive resources within a single LBT validation period. Instead of performing LBT for each individual transmission, the system maintains continuous useful action by validating a sequence of resources in advance, allowing uninterrupted data transmission across multiple MAC PDUs without repeated LBT interruptions.
2Productivity
If multiple MAC PDUs are transmitted consecutively, then spectrum utilization efficiency is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission process into distinct phases: resource determination phase where consecutive resources are identified, LBT validation phase where channel accessibility is confirmed for each resource, and transmission phase where validated resources are utilized. This segmentation allows multiple MAC PDUs to be transmitted efficiently while managing complexity through structured process division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the set of consecutive resources is determined based on current channel conditions, traffic requirements, and LBT outcomes. The system can adaptively adjust the number of consecutive resources, the timing, and the content of transmissions, enabling flexible spectrum utilization while managing allocation complexity through dynamic decision-making.
3Reliability
If LBT failure occurs during consecutive transmission, then channel access reliability is maintained, but transmission productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares multiple candidate resources in advance for consecutive transmission. When LBT fails on a particular resource, the system has pre-identified alternative resources within the determined consecutive resource set, providing a cushion against transmission failures. This beforehand cushioning maintains reliability by ensuring fallback options are ready while minimizing productivity loss by quickly switching to alternative resources without requiring complete re-allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for consecutive transmission for different multiple medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs) for sidelink communication on an unlicensed band. An embodiment of the subject application provides a UE including: a processor; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor, herein the processor is configured to, with the wireless transceiver; determine a first number of consecutive resources for consecutive transmission of a second number of MAC PDUs; determine one or more MAC PDUs of the second number of MAC PDUs to be transmitted; select first consecutive resources for initial transmission of the one or more MAC PDUs from available resources indicated by a physical layer, wherein the first consecutive resources include at most the first number of consecutive resources; and select a corresponding second consecutive resources from remainder of the available resources for each retransmission of the one or more MAC PDUS.