Uplink Resource Allocation for Unlicensed Spectrum Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in designing uplink resource allocation and resource selection indications for unlicensed spectrum access, particularly in new radio-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NRU), where the outcome of multi-RB-set based LBT is unpredictable, and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource allocation is not fully designed.

Innovation Solution

A method for uplink resource allocation and resource selection indication is provided, involving the use of DCI formats with specific scrambling and search spaces to determine resource block sets for PUSCH transmission, including mechanisms for determining RB sets based on initial and active UL BWP configurations and guard bands, ensuring compatibility with different UE states and network configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-RB-set based LBT is performed for wideband operation in NRU, then the channel occupancy time can be shared with UE for uplink transmission, but the outcome of LBT cannot be predicted and resource allocation becomes uncertain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel occupancy time utilizationVSAvoidLBT outcome predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs LBT procedure in advance before allocating resources to the UE. The outcome of this preliminary LBT is recorded and used to determine the final resource allocation, ensuring that the UE can predict the allocated resources based on the pre-determined LBT outcome.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station provides feedback information to the UE about the LBT outcome and the corresponding resource allocation. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to understand the relationship between the LBT outcome and the allocated resources, enabling predictable resource selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Area of stationary object

If wideband operation with multiple RB sets is configured, then the bandwidth utilization is increased, but the PUCCH resource allocation design is not complete and signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidPUCCH resource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wideband is segmented into multiple RB sets, and the PUCCH resources are allocated within these segmented RB sets. The indication field is divided into parts that can independently indicate different RB set combinations, simplifying the signaling mechanism while maintaining wideband capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indication field design is made universal to work with different RB set configurations and UE states. The same indication field structure can accommodate various bandwidth parts and RB set combinations, eliminating the need for separate signaling mechanisms for different configurations.

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

3Measurement precision

If DCI format with specific scrambling and search spaces is used for resource allocation, then the resource allocation accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different scrambling codes and search space configurations are applied locally to different DCI formats and resource allocation scenarios. This allows the system to use more robust signaling only where needed (e.g., for critical resource allocations) while using simpler signaling for less critical allocations, reducing overall overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4115668B1Apparatus and method of communication of same
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4115668B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115668B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4115668B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and a method of communication of the same are provided. A method of communication of a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, by the UE, a first information, and the first information is relevant to an uplink resource allocation. This provides a method of uplink resource allocation and may further provide an indication field to include a resource selection indication.