Coordinated Unlicensed Spectrum Transmission via Operator Agreements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The unpredictable nature of accessing unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands makes data transmission over these bands unpredictable, especially for multicast-broadcast and emergency transmissions, due to the unreliable availability of channels.

Innovation Solution

Implementing coordinated transmission techniques between operators, where data is transmitted in accordance with an agreement, using clear channel assessment (CCA) and synchronization protocols to ensure efficient use of the unlicensed spectrum, allowing for opportunistic and predefined data transmission based on access and transmission status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If operators independently access unlicensed bands using LBT procedures, then each operator can transmit data when the channel is available, but the transmission becomes unpredictable and unreliable due to channel unavailability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges transmission resources and coordination mechanisms between operators. Operators share unlicensed band access through coordinated LBT procedures and joint transmission agreements, combining their individual access attempts into a unified coordination framework that improves reliability while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary coordination between operators before actual data transmission. Operators perform advance agreements on transmission parameters, coordinate their LBT timing, and establish transmission schedules beforehand, which eliminates the unpredictability of independent access while preserving channel availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If operators coordinate transmission according to an agreement, then transmission reliability improves through coordinated access, but the system complexity increases due to coordination overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidcoordination system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates universal coordination mechanisms that serve multiple functions simultaneously. The coordination system handles both LBT synchronization and transmission scheduling, and the agreement framework manages both resource allocation and conflict resolution, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters from operator-specific to coordinated values. Transmission timing, power levels, and resource allocation parameters are transformed from independent decisions to coordinated parameters defined by the agreement, simplifying the coordination overhead through standardized parameter management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If operators transmit data independently whenever the channel is available, then data transmission speed is maximized, but duplicate transmissions occur reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidoverall transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where operators monitor each other's transmission status and adjust their own transmissions accordingly. The coordination agreement includes feedback loops that detect duplicate transmission attempts and trigger retransmission coordination, maintaining high speed while eliminating wasteful duplicate transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic transmission coordination where operators can switch between independent and coordinated transmission modes based on channel conditions and agreement status. The system dynamically adjusts transmission behavior to maximize speed when channels are clear while preventing duplicates when multiple operators have access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3132630B1Techniques for transmitting data over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band in accordance with an agreement between operators and corresponding apparatus and computer-readable medium
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3132630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3132630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3132630B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are described for wireless communication. A first method includes performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) for a first node associated with a first operator in a deployment of operators over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and transmitting data over the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band when the CCA is successful. The data may be transmitted by the first node in accordance with an agreement between the first operator and a second operator in the deployment of operators. A second method includes receiving over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, at a user equipment (UE), a first transmission from a first node associated with a first operator in a deployment of operators. The first transmission may include data originating from a second operator in the deployment of operators.