Wakeup Signaling Guard Time in Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for wakeup signaling in wireless communications systems operating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands are inefficient due to fixed timing between wakeup signals and active communication periods, which can be problematic given the variability of listen-before-talk procedures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a guard time period specific to user equipment (UE) capabilities, allowing the UE to transmit its configuration to the base station, which then uses this information to identify a suitable guard time between the wakeup signal and active communication, enabling flexible timing adjustments based on UE capabilities and channel performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed timing is used between wakeup signal and active communication period, then the system structure is simple, but the efficiency deteriorates due to variability in listen-before-talk procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the guard time period adjustable rather than fixed. The base station configures different guard time periods based on UE capabilities and channel conditions, allowing the system to adapt timing parameters dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by enabling efficiency improvement through flexible timing while managing complexity through configured parameters rather than rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter (guard time period) from a fixed value to a configurable parameter. By allowing the guard time to vary based on UE warm-up capabilities and listen-before-talk procedure variability, the system optimizes communication efficiency without requiring complete structural redesign. The parameter change approach balances efficiency gains with acceptable system complexity.
2Reliability
If the guard time period is extended to ensure UE warm-up time, then communication reliability improves, but resource wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating guard time requirements for different UEs based on their capabilities. Instead of using a uniform guard time for all UEs, the base station configures UE-specific guard time periods according to their warm-up capabilities and operational characteristics. This ensures each UE receives adequate warm-up time (improving reliability) while minimizing unnecessary time allocation for UEs that require shorter guard periods (reducing resource wastage).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by providing just enough guard time for each UE's specific requirements rather than a blanket excessive guard time for all UEs. By assessing individual UE capabilities and allocating guard time accordingly, the system achieves sufficient warm-up time for reliable communication initiation without uniformly extending guard time and wasting resources on UEs that don't require the full duration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If UE-specific capability configuration is implemented, then adaptability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having UEs report their own capability configurations to the base station. Each UE autonomously determines its warm-up capabilities and operational characteristics, then communicates this information to the base station for configuration. This self-reporting mechanism improves adaptability to individual UE characteristics while reducing system complexity compared to centralized capability assessment, as the burden of capability characterization shifts to the UE itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may transmit a signal to a base station indicating a UE capability configuration. The EE may receive, over an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, a wakeup signal during a monitoring period, the wakeup signal indicating that wireless communications are to be performed between the EE and the base station during an active time period. The EE may identify a guard time period upon receiving the wakeup signal, wherein the guard time period is based at least in part on the EE capability configuration. The EE may perform, after an expiration of the guard time period, the wireless communications with the base station during the active time period.