Uplink-Downlink Switching Point Configuration for Unlicensed Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The new generation communication systems face challenges in meeting diverse service requirements due to limitations of licensed spectrum, particularly in determining accurate uplink-downlink switching points for unlicensed carriers, leading to inefficient and inaccurate detection.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for determining uplink-downlink switching points by configuring terminals with information from base stations, using mechanisms like Listen Before Talk (LBT) and setting configuration information, including transmission unit structural information and scheduling signaling, to guide terminals in identifying switching points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the terminal autonomously detects uplink-downlink switching points on unlicensed carriers, then the system maintains flexibility in carrier access, but the detection speed and accuracy deteriorate due to invalid detections
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary action by pre-configuring switching point information (such as slot format indicators, uplink-downlink configuration indices, or explicit switching point locations) to the terminal before the terminal needs to detect them. This allows the terminal to directly use the provided configuration information without performing autonomous detection, thereby eliminating invalid detections and reducing both detection time and improving detection accuracy.
2Productivity
If the terminal performs autonomous detection on unlicensed carriers, then the system maintains independence in carrier sensing, but the determination speed and accuracy worsen due to invalid detections
Solution Approach 1:
The base station acts as an intermediary by providing configuration information that guides the terminal's detection process. Instead of the terminal independently detecting switching points (which leads to invalid detections), the base station transmits assistance information such as candidate switching point locations, valid time windows, or configuration indices that the terminal uses to accurately identify switching points, thereby improving both speed and accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If configuration information is provided to guide terminal detection, then the speed and accuracy of determining switching points is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration information mechanism is designed to be universal and multi-functional. The same base station signaling structures (such as downlink control information, system information blocks, or RRC messages) that are already used for other purposes are extended to carry switching point configuration information. This allows the system to provide accurate switching point guidance without adding entirely new signaling protocols, thereby improving accuracy while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and device for determining an uplink-downlink switching point. The method is used in a base station. The method includes: setting configuration information for determining an uplink-downlink switching point; and sending the configuration information to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the uplink-downlink switching point according to the configuration information. Therefore, the present disclosure can prevent the terminal from performing invalid detection on an unlicensed carrier, and can also improve the speed and accuracy of determining the uplink-downlink switching point by the terminal.