Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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10 WIRELESS CHANNEL MONITORING, ACQUISITION, AND ALIGNMENT
BACKGROUND
In general, a conventional listen before talk (a.k.a., LBT) protocol includes
monitoring a wireless channel or narrow bandwidth before initiating wireless
transmissions from a respective wireless station.
For example, if a power level of wireless communications in a monitored
bandwidth is below a threshold value, the corresponding wireless station
assumes that
the monitored bandwidth is not being used by other devices in which case the
corresponding wireless station then communicates over the available bandwidth
during the respective acquired channel occupancy time.
Thus, conventional LBT techniques can be used by a radio device to
determine that a network that is free for use by the monitoring wireless
station
implementing the listen before talk procedure.
In the 5GHz and 6GHz unlicensed spectrum, a node accessing a channel has to
perform listen-before-talk (LBT) over either a fixed short duration, or over a
longer
and random duration. Such an LBT mechanism enhances coexistence among nodes
attempting to transmit on the same channel of the unlicensed spectrum.
It is note that implementing listen before talk techniques also adds to the
channel access delay, and the overall delay budget of being able to
communicate a
data payload.
Conventional LBT categories vary based on the listen interval or back-off time
that is required to access a channel. For example, so-called LBT Cat2
(Category 2)
requires a fixed duration of time of 25 s, while LBT Cat4 (Category 4)
requires a
listen interval with a value that is randomly drawn from a range of (Lmin,
Lmax)
where the values of Lmin/Lmax are specified by regulators or standardization
bodies.
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If a device (node) performing LBT, for a given back-off interval, detects no
signal stronger than a respective energy detect threshold (EDT), the device
assumes
the channel is available for access.
In 3GPP NR (New Radio), bandwidth part (BWP) operation is described as
transmission/reception of signals in a portion of bandwidth, where one or more
of
such portions can be configured by a gNB (gnodeB) for respective UE (User
Equipment).
In the baseline NR specification, a gNB may define any portion of the
available bandwidth to be a so-called BWP (BandWidth Part). However, in NR-U
(New Radio ¨ Unlicensed), due to regulatory requirement for channel sensing
and
LBT across a 20MHz portion of the channel, it is more efficient if the BWPs
are
defined as multiples of 20MHz.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
This disclosure includes the observation that conventional techniques of
implementing shared use of wireless bandwidth suffer from deficiencies. For
example, conventional techniques of monitoring the overall power level in a
wireless
network environment only indicate usage of the particular wireless channel and
not
what type of device or protocol is used by currently transmitting devices.
To access a BWP, a wireless communication device/gNB/UE has to perform
channel sensing and an LBT (Listen Before Talk) procedure. A gNB may configure
multiple BWPs and assign each UE to one (or more) of the configured BWPs. This
way, the gNB (wireless base station) may serve a set of UEs in one BWP and
serve
another set of UEs in another BWP. The first and second sets of UEs may be
independent or disjoint sets.
In order to enhance a successful channel access in an unlicensed spectrum, an
NR-U (New Radio ¨ Unlicensed) gNB may attempt to access multiple BWPs
(bandwidth parts) at the same time. However, due to presence of various
competing
co-channel devices in each BWP, a successful channel access (after a
successful
completion of one of the LBT categories) is not deterministic.
Hence, it may occur with conventional techniques that a gNB attempts to
access two BWPs at the same time, but it does not succeed to access both at
the same
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time. For example, the gNB accesses BWP1 (first bandwidth) first and after
some
time, e.g., two slots, it succeeds to access BWP2 (second bandwidth).
In this disclosure, methods to access multiple BWPs are described to:
- enhance the chance of a successful channel access and simultaneous
usage of bandwidth and/or multiple bandwidth parts
- temporally align user equipment (mobile communication devices) to
reduce the difficulty of a gNB to transmit wireless communications on one
BWP and receive wireless communications on another bandwidth portion
(a.k.a., bandwidth part).
- support medium (wireless channel) sharing amongst multiple
different mobile communication devices (user equipment) while accessing a
BWP
FIRST EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments herein provide improved monitoring of a shared wireless
spectrum (such as wireless channel, wireless bandwidth, etc.) and use of same.
In one
embodiment, the wireless base station aligns use of first wireless bandwidth
and
second wireless bandwidth to simultaneously (such as in the same time slot)
communicate in an uplink direction from one or more mobile communication
devices
to the wireless base station. Embodiments herein also support aligning
communications in a downlink direction from the wireless base station over
different
wireless channels (bandwidth or bandwidth parts) to different mobile
communication
devices.
More specifically, one embodiment herein includes a wireless base station.
The wireless base station monitors, via first and second listen before talk
operations,
both a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth to transmit wireless
communications
in a network environment. Based on the monitoring, the wireless base station
receives access rights to use the first bandwidth prior to receiving access
rights to use
the second bandwidth. Via communication of one or more wireless messages over
the
first bandwidth, the wireless base station temporally (i.e., in the time
domain) aligns
use of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth such as to communicate in
the
same direction in a given time slot.
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In one embodiment, the wireless base station uses (communicates over) the
first wireless bandwidth to prevent another wireless station from acquiring
and using
the first wireless bandwidth while the wireless base station continues to
implement a
respective listen before talk procedure and acquire the second wireless
bandwidth.
Eventually, the wireless base station acquires the second bandwidth and
efficiently
uses both the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth to support wireless
connectivity amongst multiple wireless stations.
In accordance with further embodiments, the wireless message from the
wireless base station (such as connection management resource) over the
bandwidth
to the mobile communication device is a grant of use message indicating grant
of use
of the first bandwidth to the first mobile communication device. The wireless
base
station communicates the grant of use message to the first mobile
communication
device over a wireless communication link. In one embodiment, the wireless
base
station communicates the grant of use message to the first mobile
communication
device in a window of time between a time of the wireless base station
receiving the
access rights to use the first bandwidth and the wireless base station
receiving the
access rights to use the second bandwidth.
In accordance with further example embodiments, the grant of use of the first
bandwidth by the first mobile communication device (in the first time slot)
prevents a
competing wireless station from obtaining access rights to the first bandwidth
in the
window of time (such as first time slot).
In accordance with still further example embodiments, the wireless base
station or (other suitable management entity) assigns the first bandwidth
(such as first
bandwidth part) for use by a first set of mobile communication devices in
communication with the wireless base station, the first set of mobile
communication
devices includes the first mobile communication device. Additionally, the
wireless
base station (other suitable management entity) assigns the second bandwidth
(such as
second bandwidth part) for use by a second set of mobile communication devices
in
communication with the wireless base station.
In further example embodiments, the wireless message from the wireless base
station to the mobile communication device indicates a grant of use of the
first
bandwidth to the mobile communication device. In one embodiment, the wireless
base station communicates the wireless message in with first time slot from
the
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wireless base station to the first mobile communication device over a wireless
communication link; the wireless message indicates allocation of the first
bandwidth
(configuration grant) to the first mobile communication device to communicate
in an
uplink direction from the mobile communication device to the wireless base
station.
Additionally, the wireless base station does not yet have access rights to use
the
second bandwidth in the first time slot.
In a second time slot following the first time slot, via wireless
communication
of a revoke grant message from the wireless base station over the first
bandwidth to
the mobile communication device (wireless station), the wireless base station
revokes
the grant of use of the first wireless bandwidth to the first mobile
communication
device as indicated by the previously sent wireless message. Communications in
the
first time slot prevents another wireless station from acquiring the first
bandwidth
(first wireless channel). In one embodiment, the revoked grant of use
indicates
deallocation of a prior channel grant such as that the first bandwidth from
the first
mobile communication device to communicate in an uplink direction from the
mobile
communication device to the wireless base station. In accordance with further
example embodiments, the wireless base station has access rights to use both
the first
bandwidth and the second bandwidth in the second time slot.
In one embodiment, the wireless system as described herein is implemented in
an NR-U wireless communication system.
Further embodiments herein include, via the wireless base station,
communicating the wireless message from a wireless base station over a control
channel monitored by multiple mobile communication devices that shares use of
the
first bandwidth.
Note further that embodiments herein are useful over conventional techniques
of wireless stations competing for use of available wireless bandwidth. For
example,
the operations performed by the wireless base station (i.e., connection
management
resource) enables the wireless base station to align uplink communications in
the
same time slots without losing an acquired wireless channel, increasing
efficiency and
overall use of limited available wireless bandwidth.
SECOND EMBODIMENTS
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Further embodiments herein provide improved monitoring of a shared wireless
spectrum (such as wireless channel, wireless bandwidth, etc.) and more
efficient use
of same.
More specifically, embodiments herein include communication management
hardware associated with a wireless (base) station. During operation, the
communication management hardware associated with the wireless base station
monitors a first bandwidth to acquire corresponding access rights via
implementation
of a first listen before talk function assigned a first listen before talk
time duration.
The communication management hardware also monitors a second bandwidth to
acquire corresponding access rights via implementation of a second listen
before talk
function assigned a second listen before talk time duration. In one
embodiment, the
communication management hardware acquires access rights to both the first
bandwidth and the second bandwidth in response to detecting that wireless
signals in
both the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth are below respective energy
threshold levels during the first listen before talk time duration.
In accordance with further example embodiments, the first listen before talk
time duration is less than the second listen before talk time duration.
In still further example embodiments, the respective threshold levels
implemented by the first listen before talk function and the second listen
before talk
function include a first wireless energy threshold level and a second wireless
energy
threshold level. The first wireless energy threshold level is used by the
first listen
before talk function to monitor availability the first bandwidth. The second
wireless
energy threshold level is used by the second listen before talk function to
monitor
availability of the second bandwidth.
In one embodiment, the second wireless energy threshold level associated with
monitoring the second wireless bandwidth is lower (less) than the first
wireless energy
threshold level associated with monitoring the first wireless bandwidth.
In accordance with further example embodiments, acquiring access rights to
both the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth is dependent, at least in
part, upon
a bandwidth separation between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth.
In yet further example embodiments, the first bandwidth is a first component
carrier; the second bandwidth is a second component carrier. Acquisition of
the
access rights to both the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth includes
carrier
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aggregation of the first component carrier and the second component carrier by
the
respective wireless station to communicate in the wireless network
environment.
In still further example embodiments, the spacing between a center carrier
frequency of the first bandwidth and a center carrier frequency the second
bandwidth
is greater than a predetermined threshold value such as 100MHz, 200MHz, 300
MHz,
etc. In other words, the spacing can be any suitable threshold value. In one
embodiment, acquisition of the access rights to both the first bandwidth and
the
second bandwidth includes communicating a message indicating acquisition of
the
first bandwidth from a first listen before talk function that monitors the
first
bandwidth to a second listen before talk function that monitors the second
bandwidth.
In still further example embodiments, acquisition of the access rights by the
communication management hardware associated with the wireless base station
includes, via the first listen before talk function, producing a first signal
indicative of
a first wireless power (energy) level of receiving communications in the first
bandwidth. The first listen before talk function compares the first signal to
a first
threshold level to determine availability of the first wireless bandwidth.
Further
embodiments herein include, via the second listen before talk function,
producing a
second signal indicative of a second wireless power (energy) level of
receiving
communications in the second bandwidth. The second listen before talk function
compares the second signal to a second threshold level.
In accordance with further example embodiments, the level/threshold that a
second listen before talk function uses to monitor usage of a second bandwidth
part
can be configured to depend on the status of the first listen before talk
function
monitoring the first bandwidth part. For example, if the first listen before
talk
function detects presence of a wireless signal in the first bandwidth part,
then the
second listen before talk function compares the received signal with the same
first
energy detect threshold level that was implemented by the first listen before
talk
function. If the first listen before talk function detects a signal in the
monitored
channel (such as first bandwidth part) having a signal strength that is lower
than a first
threshold level, the first LBT function is granted use of the channel; in such
an
instance, because the first listen before talk function is granted use of
first bandwidth
part, the second listen before talk function implements an alternative energy
detect
level, such as a second energy detect threshold level instead of the first
energy
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detection threshold level, to determine the availability of the second
bandwidth part
(channel). In one embodiment, the second listen before talk function switches
over to
implementing a higher energy detection level in response to the first listen
before talk
function acquiring the first bandwidth part. Thus, granted use or current use
of a first
bandwidth part can cause a change to the energy detect threshold level
implemented
to monitor the second bandwidth part. The benefit of raising the energy detect
threshold level for the second listen before talk function as previously
discussed is to
make it easier for the wireless base station to acquire simultaneous use of
the first by
way of and the second bandwidth part to support functions as discussed herein.
In accordance with further example embodiments, acquisition of the rights to
the first bandwidth includes: via the first listen before talk function,
detecting that a
magnitude of the first signal is less than the first threshold level (energy
detect level)
for the first time duration. Acquisition of the second rights to use the
second
bandwidth includes: via the second listen before talk function: detecting that
a
magnitude of the second signal is less than the second threshold level (energy
detect
level) for the first time duration.
Note further that embodiments herein are useful over conventional techniques
of wireless stations competing for use of available wireless bandwidth. For
example,
the operations performed by the communication management hardware (such as
associated with a respective wireless base station) enables increased
efficiency and
overall use of limited available wireless bandwidth.
THIRD EMBODIMENTS
Further embodiments herein provide improved sharing of wireless bandwidth
amongst multiple mobile communication devices via implementation of novel
listen
before talk functionality.
More specifically, embodiments herein include communication management
hardware such as in a wireless station. During operation, the communication
management hardware receives notification of a wireless channel scheduled for
shared use amongst multiple mobile communication devices. A first mobile
communication device (wireless station) implements a first listen before talk
function
to acquire use of a portion of the shared wireless channel. For example, via
implementation of a first listen before talk function, the first mobile
communication
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device acquires use of a first time slot of the wireless channel scheduled for
shared
use. The connection management resource associated with a second mobile
communication device fails to acquire use of the first time slot because it
detects use
of the first time slot of the wireless channel by the first mobile
communication device.
The second mobile communication device attempts to acquire use of another time
slot
of the allocated bandwidth. For example, the second mobile communication
device
monitors, via a second listen before talk function, for non-use of a second
time slot of
the wireless channel to acquire use of the second time slot amongst the
multiple
mobile communication devices. Thus, if the first mobile communication device
or
other one or more mobile communication devices do not acquire and/or use the
second time slot, the second mobile communication device acquires and uses the
second time slot.
In accordance with further example embodiments, the second listen before talk
function implements a shorter listen before talk interval than the first
listen before talk
function. Thus, the first mobile communication device acquires the first time
slot via
the first listen before talk function. In one embodiment, the second listen
before talk
function is a more lenient (such as implements more lenient parameters such as
a
shorter listen interval, higher or stronger energy detect threshold level,
etc.) listen
before talk protocol than the first listen before talk function.
Further embodiments herein include, via the communication management
hardware, and subsequent to acquiring the second time slot via the second
listen
before talk function, utilize the second time slot to wirelessly communicate
data over
a communication link from a second wireless communication device to a wireless
base station.
Yet further embodiments herein include, via the communication management
hardware, implementing the second listen before talk function at a second
mobile
communication device of the multiple mobile communication devices to acquire a
second time slot in response to detecting that a magnitude of wireless energy
associated with use of the first time slot by the first mobile communication
device is
above a wireless energy threshold level. In further example embodiments, the
communication management hardware of the second mobile communication device
implements the first listen before talk function in the first time slot prior
to
implementing the second listen before talk function in the second time slot_
However,
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the first mobile communication device implements a shorter listen before talk
interval
time than the second mobile communication device in the first time slot and
therefore
acquires the first time slot of the shared wireless channel before the second
mobile
communication device is able to acquire the first time slot.
In still further example embodiments, the wireless channel scheduled for use
by the multiple mobile communication devices includes a first set of timeslots
interleaved amongst a second set of timeslots. A first set of mobile
communication
devices is assigned to share use of the first set of timeslots; the second set
of timeslots
is scheduled for shared use by a second set of mobile communication devices.
Further embodiments herein include, via the communication management
hardware, receiving the notification of allocated bandwidth as a wireless
communication from a wireless base station that controls use of the shared
wireless
channel. In one embodiment, the second mobile communication device receives
the
notification from the wireless base station prior to the second mobile
communication
device monitoring use of the wireless channel.
In still further embodiments, the first mobile communication device acquires
use of the first time slot via implementation of the first listen before talk
function. In
one embodiment, acquisition of the first time slot results in acquisition of
the second
time slot as well. However, as previously discussed, if the second mobile
communication device detects that the second time slot acquired by the first
mobile
communication device is not used by the first mobile communication device or
other
mobile communication device, the second mobile communication device acquires
use
of the second time slot to communicate with the wireless base station.
In yet further example embodiments, a gap between the first time slot and the
second time slot of the shared wireless bandwidth is below a predetermined
time
threshold value. In such an instance, because the gap is below a predetermined
time
threshold value, the second mobile communication device can acquire the second
time
slot via implementation of the second listen before talk function instead of
the first
listen before talk function.
Still further embodiments herein include, via the communication management
hardware implementing the second listen before talk function, detecting that
the first
time slot is used by a member of the mobile communication devices allocated
use of
the wireless channel_
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Note that any of the resources as discussed herein can include one or more
wireless stations, computerized devices, mobile communication devices,
sensors,
servers, base stations, network nodes, wireless communication equipment,
communication management systems, monitors, controllers, workstations, user
equipment, handheld or laptop computers, or the like to carry out and/or
support any
or all of the method operations disclosed herein. In other words, one or more
computerized devices or processors can be programmed and/or configured to
operate
as explained herein to carry out the different embodiments as described
herein.
Yet other embodiments herein include software programs to perform the steps
and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below. One such
embodiment comprises a computer program product including a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium (i.e., any computer readable hardware storage
medium) on which software instructions are encoded for subsequent execution.
The
instructions, when executed in a computerized device (hardware) having a
processor,
program and/or cause the processor (hardware) to perform the operations
disclosed
herein. Such arrangements are typically provided as software, code,
instructions,
and/or other data (e.g., data structures) arranged or encoded on a non-
transitory
computer readable storage medium such as an optical medium (e.g., CD-ROM),
floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick, memory device, etc., or other medium
such as
firmware in one or more ROM, RAM, PROM, etc., or as an Application Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc. The software or firmware or other such
configurations
can be installed onto a computerized device to cause the computerized device
to
perform the techniques explained herein.
Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to a method, system, computer
program product, etc., that supports operations as discussed herein.
One embodiment includes a computer readable hardware storage medium
and/or system having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when
executed by
the computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware (such
as
one or more co-located or disparately processor devices or hardware) to:
monitor, via
listen before talk operations, both a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth
to
transmit wireless communications in a network environment; receive access
rights to
use the first bandwidth prior to receiving access rights to use the second
bandwidth,
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and temporally align use of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth via
communication of a wireless message over the first bandwidth.
Another embodiment herein includes a computer readable hardware storage
medium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. The instructions,
when
executed by the computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor
hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparately processor devices or
hardware) to: monitor a first bandwidth for access rights via a first listen
before talk
function specifying a first listen before talk time duration; monitor a second
bandwidth for access rights via a second listen before talk function
specifying a
second listen before talk time duration; and acquire access rights to both the
first
bandwidth and the second bandwidth in response to detecting that a strength of
corresponding monitored wireless signals received in both the first bandwidth
and the
second bandwidth are below respective energy threshold levels during the first
listen
before talk time duration.
Another embodiment herein includes a computer readable hardware storage
medium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. The instructions,
when
executed by the computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor
hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparately processor devices or
hardware) to: receive notification of a wireless channel scheduled for shared
use
amongst multiple mobile communication devices; detect use of a first time slot
of the
wireless channel, the first time slot acquired via a first listen before talk
function
implemented by a first mobile communication device; and monitor, via a second
listen before talk function, for non-use of a second time slot of the wireless
bandwidth
to acquire use of the second time slot amongst the multiple mobile
communication
devices.
The ordering of the steps above has been added for clarity sake. Note that any
of the processing steps as discussed herein can be performed in any suitable
order.
Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programs
and/or respective hardware to perform any of the method embodiment steps and
operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.
It is to be understood that the system, method, apparatus, instructions on
computer readable storage media, etc., as discussed herein also can be
embodied
strictly as a software program, firmware, as a hybrid of software, hardware
and/or
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firmware, or as hardware alone such as within a processor (hardware or
software), or
within an operating system or a within a software application.
As discussed herein, techniques herein are well suited for use in the field of
wireless communications. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein
are
not limited to use in such applications and that the techniques discussed
herein are
well suited for other applications as well.
Additionally, note that although each of the different features, techniques,
configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in different places of this
disclosure, it is
intended, where suitable, that each of the concepts can optionally be executed
independently of each other or in combination with each other. Accordingly,
the one
or more present inventions as described herein can be embodied and viewed in
many
different ways.
Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments herein (BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS) purposefully does not specify every
embodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosure or
claimed
invention(s). Instead, this brief description only presents general
embodiments and
corresponding points of novelty over conventional techniques. For additional
details
and/or possible perspectives (permutations) of the invention(s), the reader is
directed
to the Detailed Description section (which is a summary of embodiments) and
corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussed below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating monitoring of a network
environment for wireless communications via implementation of multiple
independent listen before talk functions (LBT1 and LBT2) according to
embodiments
herein.
FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating implementation of multiple listen
before talk back off times, acquisition of multiple channels, and time slot
synchronization of using multiple wireless channels according to embodiments
herein.
FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating conveyance of communications in
different timeslots according to embodiments herein.
FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of communications
over a first wireless channel and continued implementation of listen before
talk
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(LBT2) operations to acquire a second wireless channel according to
embodiments
herein.
FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of communications
over a first wireless channel and implementation of continued listen before
talk
operations to acquire a second wireless channel according to embodiments
herein.
FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of communications
over multiple listen before talk acquired wireless channels according to
embodiments
herein.
FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating synchronized transmission of
scheduling communications over multiple acquired wireless channels according
to
embodiments herein.
FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating simultaneous receipt of uplink
communications in a time slot over multiple acquired wireless channels
according to
embodiments herein.
FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating example computer hardware and
software operable to execute one or more operations according to embodiments
herein.
FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating a method according to
embodiments herein.
FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating monitoring of a network
environment for wireless communications via implementation of multiple
independent listen before talk functions (LBT1 and LBT2) according to
embodiments
herein.
FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating spacing of multiple monitored
bandwidths according to embodiments herein.
FIG. 13 is an example diagram illustrating monitoring of energy associated
with multiple bandwidths and comparison of same to respective threshold levels
according to embodiments herein.
FIG. 14 is an example diagram illustrating monitoring of energy associated
with multiple bandwidths and comparison of same to respective threshold levels
according to embodiments herein.
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FIG. 15 is an example diagram illustrating example computer hardware and
software operable to execute one or more operations according to embodiments
herein.
FIG. 16 is an example diagram illustrating a method according to
embodiments herein.
FIG. 17 is an example diagram illustrating allocation of wireless channel
resources (such as one or more timeslots) of respective bandwidth for use by a
set of
mobile communication devices according to embodiments herein.
FIG. 18 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition and use of available
time slots in an allocated wireless channel according to embodiments herein.
FIG. 19 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition and use of available
time slots amongst multiple mobile communication devices according to
embodiments herein.
FIG. 20 is an example diagram illustrating allocation of wireless channel
resources (such as one or more timeslots) for use by multiple sets of mobile
communication devices according to embodiments herein.
FIG. 21 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition and use of available
time slots amongst multiple mobile communication devices according to
embodiments herein.
FIG. 22 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition and use of available
time slots amongst multiple mobile communication devices according to
embodiments herein.
FIG. 23 is an example diagram illustrating example computer hardware and
software operable to execute one or more operations according to embodiments
herein.
FIG. 24 is an example diagram illustrating a method according to
embodiments herein.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will
be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred
embodiments
herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters
refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the
embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.
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DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments herein include a wireless base station. The wireless base station
monitors, via multiple listen before talk functions, both a first bandwidth
and a second
bandwidth to transmit wireless communications in a network environment. Based
on
the monitoring, the wireless base station acquires access rights to use the
first
bandwidth prior to receiving access rights to use the second bandwidth. Via
communication of a wireless message over the first bandwidth, the wireless
base
station temporally aligns use of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth
to
facilitate simultaneous conveyance of communications in a downlink or uplink
direction. In one embodiment, the temporal alignment (e.g., alignment in the
time
domain) and synchronous use of the different wireless channels (in an uplink
and/or
downlink direction) in the same time slot supports more efficient use of an
available
wireless spectrum.
Now, with reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating
monitoring of a network environment for wireless communications according to
embodiments herein.
As shown in this example embodiment, wireless network environment 100
includes network 190 (such as remote network), wireless base station 131,
wireless
base station 132, wireless base station 133, wireless base station 134, etc.
Wireless
base station 131 includes a connection management resource 141 (a.k.a., a
communication management resource) to perform processing operations associated
with the wireless base station 131.
Network environment 100 further includes multiple sets of mobile
communication devices such as mobile communication devices 150, set of mobile
communication devices 160, etc.
In this example embodiment, the set of mobile communication devices 150
includes mobile communication device 151 (a.k.a., user equipment #1 or
wireless
station #1), mobile communication device 152 (a.k.a., user equipment #2 or
wireless
station #2), mobile communication device 153 (a.k.a., user equipment #3 or
wireless
station #3), etc. The set of mobile communication devices 160 includes mobile
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communication device 161 (a.k.a., user equipment #5 or wireless station #5),
mobile
communication device 162 (a.k.a., user equipment #6 or wireless station #6),
etc.
In one nonlimiting example embodiment, each of the mobile communication
devices is operated by a respective user. Each mobile communication device
includes
a respective display screen to display one or more images for viewing by the
respective user based on received data over a wireless communication link from
the
wireless base station 131 (such as a gNodeB). Via one or more wireless
communication links 127, the wireless base station 131 provides the mobile
communication devices 150 access to remote network 190; via one or more
wireless
communication links 128, the wireless base station 131 provides the mobile
communication devices 160 access to remote network 190; and so on.
Wireless base station 131 includes one or more sets of antenna hardware to
communicate with communication devices over respective wireless communication
links. For example, the wireless base station 131 uses bandwidth BWP1 (first
bandwidth) to communicate over first antenna hardware 171 of wireless base
station
131 with the multiple communication devices UE1, UE2, UE3, etc., over wireless
communication links 127; wireless base station 131 uses bandwidth BWP2 (second
bandwidth) to communicate over second antenna hardware 172 of wireless base
station 131 with the multiple communication devices UE5, UE6, etc., over
wireless
communication links 128; and so on.
Wireless base station 131 and corresponding connection management resource
141 is in communication with the first mobile communication device 151 via a
first
wireless communication link of the multiple wireless communication links 127;
wireless base station 131 and corresponding connection management resource 141
is
in communication with the first mobile communication device 151 via a first
wireless
communication link of multiple wireless links 127; wireless base station 131
and
corresponding connection management resource 141 is in communication with the
second mobile communication device 152 via a second wireless communication
link
of the wireless communication links 127; wireless base station 131 and
corresponding
connection management resource 141 is in communication with the third mobile
communication device 153 via a third wireless communication link of the
wireless
communication links 127; and so on.
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Wireless base station 131 and corresponding connection management resource
141 is in communication with the first mobile communication device 161 via a
first
wireless communication link of wireless communication links 128; wireless base
station 131 and corresponding connection management resource 141 is in
communication with the second mobile communication device 162 via a second
wireless communication link of wireless communication links 128; and so on.
Note that the resources as described herein such as wireless base station 131,
connection management resource 141, mobile communication devices, etc., can be
implemented via hardware, executed software, or a combination of hardware and
executed software.
More specifically, connection management resource 141 (a.k.a., wireless base
station 131) can be implemented as communication (connection) manager
hardware,
executed communication (connection) manager software, or a combination of
communication manager hardware and executed communication manager software;
wireless base station 131 can be implemented as wireless base station
hardware,
executed wireless base station software, or a combination of wireless base
station
hardware and executed wireless base station software; mobile communication
device
151 can be implemented as mobile communication device hardware, executed
mobile
communication device software, or a combination of mobile communication device
hardware and executed mobile communication device software; and so on.
As further discussed herein, the wireless base station 131 and corresponding
connection management resource 141 support wireless communication with the
mobile communication devices via any suitable wireless communication protocol
such as one or more of WiFi TM, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LAA (Licensed
Assisted Access), NR (New Radio), NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed), etc., in the
same
or different bandwidth. In certain instances, the wireless stations share use
of the
same wireless bandwidth (such as one or more wireless channels) to convey
communications to one or more intended recipient.
In operation #1 of FIG. 1, to support wireless connectivity with the different
sets of mobile communication devices 150 and 160, via the connection
management
resource 140, the wireless base station 131 simultaneously implements a first
listen
before talk procedure (LBT1) to acquire rights to using bandwidth BWP1 (such
as
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bandwidth part #1) and a second listen before talk procedure (LBT2) to acquire
rights
to using bandwidth BWP2 (such as bandwidth part #2).
Thus, in one embodiment, the wireless base station 131 and corresponding
connection management resource 141 monitors, via the multiple listen before
talk
operations (such as listen before talk operations LBT1 and listen before talk
operations LBT2), both a first bandwidth (such as first bandwidth part,
wireless
channel, etc.) and a second bandwidth (such as second bandwidth part, wireless
channel, etc.) to transmit wireless communications in the network environment
100.
As further discussed herein, based on the monitoring, the wireless base
station
131 initially receives access rights to use the first bandwidth BWP1 prior to
receiving
access rights to use the second bandwidth BWP2.
Via communication of one or more wireless messages over the first bandwidth
BWP1, the wireless base station 131 temporally aligns use of the first
bandwidth
BWP1 and the second bandwidth BWP2. For example, in one embodiment, the
wireless base station 131 communicates over the first wireless bandwidth BWP1
to
prevent another wireless station in network environment 100 from acquiring and
using the first wireless bandwidth BWP1 while the wireless base station 131
continues to perform listen before talk procedure LBT2 to acquire the second
wireless
bandwidth. Eventually, the wireless base station 131 acquires the second
bandwidth
BWP2 and efficiently uses both the first bandwidth BWP1 and the second
bandwidth
BWP2 to support wireless connectivity and communications with sets of mobile
communication devices 150, 160, etc., amongst the multiple wireless stations.
FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating implementation of multiple back off
times, acquisition of multiple channels, and synchronization of using multiple
wireless channels according to embodiments herein.
In this example embodiment, assume that the connection management
resource 141 of wireless base station 131 needs to acquire use of multiple
wireless
channels such as bandwidth BWP1 (such as a first wireless channel) and
bandwidth
BWP2 (such as a second wireless channel) in order to communicate with both
sets of
mobile communication devices 150 and 160.
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At time Ti, the connection management resource 141 implements one or more
listen before talk protocols (functions) to acquire rights to use bandwidth
BWP1 and
bandwidth BWP2.
For example, at or around time Ti, via a first listen before talk procedure
LBT1, assume that the connection management resource 141 of the wireless base
station 131 monitors the bandwidth BWP1 (such as a first wireless channel) and
detects a wireless energy level in the first wireless channel BWP1 as being
above a
threshold value, indicating likely use of the first wireless channel by
another one or
more wireless stations in the network environment 100.
Further, at or around time Ti, via a second listen before talk procedure LB
T2,
assume that the connection management resource 141 of the wireless base
station 131
monitors the bandwidth BWP2 (such as a second wireless channel) and detects a
wireless energy level in the second wireless channel as being above a
threshold value
indicating likely use of the second wireless channel by another one or more
wireless
stations in the network environment 100.
In such an instance, at or around time Ti, the connection management
resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 is unable to acquire either
bandwidth
BWP1 or bandwidth BWP2 to communicate with the mobile conimunication devices
at time Ti.
Based on detecting use of desired bandwidth BWP1 and BWP2, the
connection management resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 implements
a
random or fixed back-off time (interval) to before checking use of the
respective
bandwidth again.
For example, after back-off time #1 with respect to time Ti, the connection
management resource 141 of wireless base station 131 monitors a level of
wireless
energy received at first antenna hardware 171 of the wireless base station 131
again.
In response to detecting that the energy level of wireless signals received by
the
antenna hardware 171 is below a threshold value, indicating non-use of the
first
wireless channel or bandwidth BWP1, the connection management resource 141
acquires use of the first wireless channel (BWP1).
In one embodiment, the back-off time #2 implemented by listen before talk
procedure LBT2 is greater than back-off time #1 implemented by listen before
talk
LBT1 _
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In time slots TS1 and TS2, the connection management resource 141 of the
wireless base station 131 transmits respective communications 211 and 212 from
the
first antenna 171 of the wireless base station 131 to one or more mobile
communication devices in set 150.
As further shown, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 implements a random or fixed back-off time (interval) #2
before
checking use of the respective bandwidth BWP2 again. For example, after back-
off
time #2 with respect to time Ti (or other time value), at time T4, the
connection
management resource 141 of wireless base station 131 implements antenna
hardware
172 to monitor a level of wireless energy received at a second antenna of the
wireless
base station 131.
At time T4, in response to detecting that the wireless energy level at the
second antenna hardware 172 in the second bandwidth BWP2 of the wireless base
station 131 is below a threshold value, indicating non-use of the second
wireless
channel BWP2 by other wireless stations in the network environment 100, the
connection management resource 141 acquires use of the second wireless channel
(BWP2) as well. Thus, at time T4, the connection management resource 141 of
the
wireless base station 131 has access rights to wireless bandwidth BWP1 and
wireless
bandwidth BWP2.
After acquiring both bandwidth BWP1 and bandwidth BWP2, the connection
management resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 communicates over
both
bandwidth BWP1 and bandwidth BWP2 to the mobile communication devices such
as in time slot TS3.
For example, in time slot TS3, the connection management resource 141 of the
wireless base station 131 transmits wireless communications 213 from the first
antenna over the bandwidth BWP1 to the first set of mobile devices 150; the
connection management resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits
communications 221 from the second antenna over bandwidth BWP2 to the second
set of mobile devices 160.
In time slot TS4, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 transmits wireless communications 214 from the first antenna
171
over the bandwidth BWP1 to the first set of mobile devices 150; the connection
management resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits
communications
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222 from the second antenna hardware 172 over bandwidth BWP2 to the second set
of mobile devices 160.
In time slot TS5, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 receives wireless communications 215 over antenna hardware
171
and the bandwidth BWP1 from the first set of mobile devices 150; the
connection
management resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 receives
communications
223 over antenna hardware 172 and bandwidth BWP2 from the second set of mobile
devices 150.
In this manner, via transmission of wireless communications 211 and
communications 212 in timeslots TS1 and TS2 from antenna hardware 171, the
wireless base station 131 prevents another wireless station in the network
environment 100 from acquiring the bandwidth BWP1 while the wireless base
station
131 continues to pursue acquisition of rights to use the second bandwidth
BWP2.
FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating conveyance of communications in
different timeslots according to embodiments herein.
In this example embodiment, the wireless base station 131 transmits
communications 211, 212, 213, and 214 from antenna hardware 171 to the first
set of
mobile communication devices 150. The wireless base station 131 transmits
communications 221, 222, and 223 from antenna hardware 171 to the first set of
mobile communication devices 150.
In time slot TS1, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 transmits the downlink communications 211 such as including
one or
more PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) messages from antenna hardware
171.
In time slot TS2, from antenna hardware 171, the connection management
resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits downlink
communications
such as including a first PDCCH message to mobile communication device 151
(UE1); the first PDCCH message schedules communications (PUCCH
communications) in the uplink from the mobile communication device 151 (UE1)
to
the wireless base station 131 in time slot TS3.
In time slot TS2, from antenna hardware 171, the connection management
resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits downlink
communications
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such as including a second PDCCH message to mobile communication device 152
(UE2); the second PDCCH message schedules communications (PUSCH
communications) in the uplink from the mobile communication device 152 (UE2)
to
the wireless base station 131 in time slot TS3.
In time slot TS 2, from antenna hardware 171, the connection management
resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits downlink
communications
such as including a third PDCCH message to mobile communication device 153
(UE3); the third PDCCH message schedules communications (PUSCH
communications) in the uplink from the mobile communication device 153 (UE3)
to
the wireless base station 131 in time slot TS3.
In time slot TS3, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 transmits a cancelation message 321 to the mobile
communication
devices 151, 152, and 153. The cancelation message 321 (such as DCI CI)
cancels: i)
the grant of uplink bandwidth PUCCH associated with mobile communication
device
151 (UE1) in time slot TS3; ii) the grant of uplink bandwidth PUSCH associated
with
mobile communication device 152 (UE2) in time slot TS3; iii) the grant of
uplink
bandwidth PUSCH associated with mobile communication device 153 (UE3) in time
slot TS3.
Thus, the cancelation message 321 in communication 213 causes the mobile
communication device 151 to cancel its PUCCH communications associated with
UE1 in time slot TS3; the cancelation message 321 in communication 213 causes
the
mobile communication device 152 to cancel its PUSCH communications associated
with UE2 in time slot TS3; the cancelation message 321 in communication 213
causes
the mobile communication device 153 to cancel its PUSCH communications
associated with UE3 in time slot TS3. None of the mobile communication devices
151, 152, and 153 communicate in the uplink direction to the wireless base
station
131 in time slot TS3.
Further, in time slot TS3, the connection management resource 141 of the
wireless base station 131 communicates a PDSCH message via communications 221
wirelessly transmitted from antenna hardware 172. As previously discussed,
management resource of the wireless base station 131 transmits communications
213
in time slot TS3.
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In one embodiment, note that the antenna hardware 171 and antenna hardware
172 is a single set of antenna hardware that supports reception and/or
transmission of
wireless signals. For example, communication over BWPl and BWP2 likely happen
via the same antenna hardware. This applies to all references made to antenna
hardware 171 and 172 (such as a single or shared antenna system).
In time slot TS4, during rescheduling, the connection management resource
141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits downlink communications 214
such as
including a first PDCCH message from antenna hardware 171 to mobile
communication device 151 (UE1); the first PDCCH message schedules
communications (PUCCH communications) in the uplink from the mobile
communication device 151 (UE1) to the wireless base station 131 in time slot
TS5.
In time slot TS4, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 transmits downlink communications 214 such as including a
second
PDCCH message to mobile communication device 152 (UE2); the second PDCCH
message schedules communications (PUSCH communications) in the uplink from the
mobile communication device 152 (UE2) to the wireless base station 131 in time
slot
TS5.
In time slot TS4, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 transmits downlink communications such as including a third
PDCCH message to mobile communication device 153 (UE3); the third PDCCH
message schedules communications (PUSCH communications) in the uplink from the
mobile communication device 153 (UE3) to the wireless base station 131 in time
slot
TS5.
In time slot TS5, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 receives wireless communications 215 over bandwidth BWP1 at
antenna hardware 171 from the mobile communication devices including: i) a
corresponding PUCCH message from the mobile communication device 151 (UE1);
ii) a corresponding PUSCH message from the mobile communication device 152
(UE2); iii) a corresponding PUSCH message from the mobile communication device
153 (UE3).
In time slot TS5, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 receives wireless communications 223 over bandwidth BWP2 at
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antenna hardware 172 from the mobile communication devices including a
corresponding PUCCH message from the mobile communication device 155 (UE5.
Thus, wireless base station 131 and corresponding connection management
resource 141 temporally align use of the first bandwidth BWP1 and the second
bandwidth BWP2 via communication of wireless communications 212 and 213 over
the bandwidth BWP1 such that both the sets of mobile communication devices 150
and 160 communicate in an uplink direction to the wireless base station 131 in
the
time slot TS5.
In accordance with further example embodiments, the wireless base station
131 such as gNB (gNodeB) is configured and operates multiple BWPs (such as
BWP1 and BWP2), and UEs with a single active BWP. The wireless base station
131
or other suitable entity assigns a first BWP1 to support communications with
the first
set of mobile communication devices 150; the wireless base station 131 or
other
suitable entity assigns BWP2 to the support communications with the second set
of
mobile communication devices 152.
When attempting to acquire (access) BWP1 and BWP2, the connection
management resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 starts LBT procedures
such
as via Category-4 (Cat4) listen before talk that has a random waiting (back-
off) time.
In one embodiment, as previously discussed, the listen before talk LBT1 time
of
acquiring for BWP1 is achieved earlier than the second listen before talk
LBT2. The
channel occupancy time for bandwidth BWP1 starts at time Ti, otherwise there
is a
chance other nearby wireless nodes to acquire the bandwidth BWP1.
The channel occupancy time for LBT2 and corresponding use of bandwidth
BWP2 starts at time T3.
Note that it is possible that the LBT for BWP2 fails first, but succeeds later
(e.g. due to presence of a short WiFi TM frame).
Based on implementing different listen before talk procedures LBT1 and
LBT2, the alignment of downlink and uplink resources in BWP1 and BWP2 may be
difficult due to an unavoidable random waiting time in accessing multiple BWPs
and/or due to independent wireless activities in the two BWPs which are likely
across
various 20MHz sub-bands.
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This could lead to situations where the wireless base station 131 plans for
downlink transmissions (i.e., communications) in a slot while it had already
planned
for uplink transmissions (by one or more UEs) in another BWP. The uplink
transmissions maybe PUCCH (HARQ feedback scheduled a few slots ahead, or other
UCI transmissions), sounding RS (SRS), or PUSCH (dynamic or configured grant).
As described herein, to address the issue of acquiring the channels (BWP1 and
BWP2) at different times, the wireless base station 131 can he configured to
cancel
previously scheduled uplink transmissions (i.e., communications) in one or
more slots
in a given acquired BWP. To do so, the wireless base station 131 informs a set
of
UEs or all mobile communication devices in a given BWP group (such as set 150,
set
160, etc.) to cancel the planned transmission for one or more slots. The
wireless base
station 131 carries the instruction for uplink (UL) cancellation indication
(CI) in an
existing/new DCI (Downlink Control Information) command. The behavior of the
UE
after receiving the UL Cl depends on the type of UL transmission it was going
to do.
In one embodiment, the UL cancellation indication DCI may be carried in a
GC-PDCCH message where each of the mobile communication devices in a set are
configured to monitor. The DCI message in communication 213 specifies whether
in
the current and/or next several slots UL transmission shall be cancelled. In
one
embodiment, the DCI message is encoded with a new RNTI (Radio Network
Temporary Identifier), where UEs may be configured to monitor same before
initiating any UL communications from the user equipment to the wireless base
station 131.
In accordance with further example embodiments, if a UE, that is scheduled to
send HARQ feedback in the current/next slot(s) in its configured active BWP,
detects
the DCI cancelation message 321, the user equipment cancels transmitting the
PUCCH communications in the uplink. In one embodiment, the corresponding UE
receiving the cancel message starts a timer and expects that the wireless base
station
131 schedules the next HARQ feedback transmission in the current or next COT
before expiry of the timer. The UE waits for a HARQ-pull DCI message for the
pending HARQ feedback, or drops it and releases the HARQ ID if the timer
expires.
In still further example embodiments, if a UE, that is scheduled to send UCI
in
the current/next slot(s) in its configured active BWP, detects the DCI
message, that
user equipment cancels transmitting the corresponding PUCCH (uplink)
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communications. In one embodiment, the UE expects that the wireless base
station
131 schedules the cancelled UCI in the current or next COT (Channel Occupancy
Time). The UE may update UCI content if necessary.
In yet further example embodiments, if a UE, that is scheduled for PUSCH
transmission in the current/next slot(s) in its assigned active BWP, detects
the DCI
message (cancelation message 321), that user equipment cancels the PUSCH
communications. The UE then expects that the wireless base station 131 will
reschedule PUSCH communications in the current or next COT.
If a UE, that is scheduled for SRS transmission in the current/next slot(s) in
its
configured active BWP, detects the DCI message, that user equipment cancels
the
SRS transmission.
If a UE is about to send a scheduling request (SR) in a configured PUCCH,
and has detected DCI (cancel message 321), then that UE cancels the
transmission of
the SR and starts a timer. The UE does not send a new SR unless the timer has
expired (wireless base station 131 may not get to schedule the PUSCH for the
UE
right after the CI).
Presence of the DCI message (321) in a slot automatically cancels any
Configured Grant resources within the slot for that user equipment, and in the
subsequent slots if the DCI message indicates so. Hence, if a UE (that
prepares for
transmission of communications to the wireless base station 131 in an upcoming
CG
resource) receives the DCI CI (cancel) message, the UE may attempt for an
upcoming
CG after the canceled period, and the UE may hold its LBT back-off timer
value.
Alternatively, the UE may re-initiate its backoff timer.
FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of communications
over a first wireless channel and implementation of listen before talk
operations to
acquire a second wireless channel according to embodiments herein.
As previously discussed, at time Ti, the connection management resource 141
acquires use of the bandwidth BWP1. In time slot TS1, the connection
management
resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits wireless downlink
communications 211 from antenna hardware 171 of the wireless base station 131
to
one or more mobile communication devices in the set of mobile communication
devices 150.
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The wireless base station 131 has not yet acquired use of the wireless
bandwidth BWP2 in time slot TS1 and awaits expiration of back off time #2.
FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of communications
over a first wireless channel and implementation of listen before talk
operations to
acquire a second wireless channel according to embodiments herein.
In time slot TS2, via communications 212, the connection management
resource 141 of the wireless base station 131 transmits wireless downlink
communications 212 from antenna hardware 171 of the wireless base station 131
to
one or more mobile communication devices in the set of mobile communication
devices 150.
The wireless base station 131 has not yet acquired use of the wireless
bandwidth BWP2 in time slot TS2 and awaits expiration of back off time #2.
FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of communications
over multiple acquired wireless channels according to embodiments herein.
As previously discussed, at time T3, via the listen before talk procedure
LBT2,
the connection management resource 141 acquires use of the bandwidth BWP2. For
example, the wireless base station 131 monitors presence of wireless signals
in
bandwidth BWP2 via antenna hardware 172 and determines that the received
wireless
signals are below a listen before talk threshold value. In such an instance,
the
wireless base station 131 acquires the bandwidth BWP2.
In time slot TS3, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 transmits wireless downlink communications 213 (such as
cancelation message 321 canceling PUCCH associated with UE1, canceling PUSCH
associated with UE2, and canceling PUSCH associated with UE3) from the
wireless
base station 131 over acquired bandwidth BWP1 and antenna hardware 171 to one
or
more mobile communication devices in the set of mobile communication devices
150.
In time slot TS3, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 also transmits wireless downlink communications 221 from the
wireless base station 131 over acquired bandwidth BWP2 and antenna hardware
172
to one or more mobile communication devices in the set of mobile communication
devices 160.
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FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating simultaneous receipt of uplink
communications over multiple acquired wireless channels according to
embodiments
herein.
In time slot TS4, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 transmits wireless downlink communications 214 (scheduling
uplink
communications in time slot TS5 from UE1, UE2, and UE3) from the antenna
hardware 171 of the wireless base station 131 over acquired bandwidth BWP1 to
one
or more mobile communication devices in the set of mobile communication
devices
150.
In time slot TS4, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 also transmits wireless downlink communications 222
(scheduling
uplink communications in time slot TS5 from UE5) from the antenna hardware 172
of
the wireless base station 131 over acquired bandwidth BWP2 to one or more
mobile
communication devices in the set of mobile communication devices 160.
FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating synchronized transmission of
scheduling communications over multiple acquired wireless channels according
to
embodiments herein.
In time slot TS5, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 receives scheduled wireless uplink communications 215 at
antenna
hardware 171 of the wireless base station 131 over acquired bandwidth BWP1
from
mobile communication devices UE1, UE2, and UE3 in the set of mobile
communication devices 150. Thus, the mobile communication devices UE1, UE2,
and UE3 shares use of the time slot TS5.
In time slot TS5, the connection management resource 141 of the wireless
base station 131 also receives wireless uplink communications 223 at antenna
hardware 172 of the wireless base station 131 over acquired bandwidth BWP2
from
mobile communication device UE5.
FIG. 9 is an example block diagram of a computer system for implementing
any of the operations as previously discussed according to embodiments herein.
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Any of the resources (such as communication manager resource 141, wireless
base station 131, mobile communication device 151, mobile communication device
152, mobile communication device 161, etc.) as discussed herein can he
configured to
include computer processor hardware and/or corresponding executable
instructions to
carry out the different operations as discussed herein.
As shown, computer system 950 of the present example includes interconnect
911 coupling computer readable storage media 912 such as a non-transitory type
of
media (which can be any suitable type of hardware storage medium in which
digital
information can be stored and or retrieved), a processor 913 (computer
processor
hardware), I/0 interface 914, and a communications interface 917.
I/0 interface(s) 914 supports connectivity to repository 980 and input
resource
992.
Computer readable storage medium 912 can be any hardware storage device
such as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In one
embodiment, the
computer readable storage medium 912 stores instructions and/or data.
As shown, computer readable storage media 912 can be encoded with
communication manager application 140-1 (e.g., including instructions) in a
respective wireless station to carry out any of the operations as discussed
herein.
During operation of one embodiment, processor 913 accesses computer
readable storage media 912 via the use of interconnect 911 in order to launch,
run,
execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions in communication
manager
application 140-1 stored on computer readable storage medium 912. Execution of
the
communication manager application 140-1 produces communication manager process
140-2 to carry out any of the operations and/or processes as discussed herein.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 950 can
include other processes and/or software and hardware components, such as an
operating system that controls allocation and use of hardware resources to
execute
communication manager application 140-1.
In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system may
reside in any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a
mobile
computer, a personal computer system, a wireless device, a wireless access
point, a
base station, phone device, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, netbook
computer,
mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer.
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application server, storage device, a consumer electronics device such as a
camera,
camcorder, set top box, mobile device, video game console, handheld video game
device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, set-top box,
content
management device, handheld remote control device, any type of computing or
electronic device, etc. The computer system 950 may reside at any location or
can be
included in any suitable resource in any network environment to implement
functionality as discussed herein.
Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussed via
the flowchart in FIG. 10. Note that the steps in the flowcharts below can be
executed
in any suitable order.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 illustrating an example method according to
embodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect to
concepts as
discussed above.
In processing operation 1010, the wireless base station 131 (via
communication management resource 141) monitors, via listen before talk
operations
LBT1 and LBT2, both a first bandwidth (BWP1) and a second bandwidth (BWP2) to
transmit wireless communications in a network environment 100.
In processing operation 1020, the wireless base station 131 (via
communication management resource 141) receives access rights to use the first
bandwidth (BWP1) prior to receiving access rights to use the second bandwidth
(BWP2).
In processing operation 1030, the wireless base station 131 (via
communication management resource 141) temporally aligns use of the first
bandwidth BWP1 and the second bandwidth BWP2 via communication of wireless
communications or messages (such as downlink communications 211, 212, 213,
etc.)
over the bandwidth BWP1.
SECOND EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments herein include communication management hardware
associated with a wireless base station. The communication management hardware
monitors a first bandwidth to acquire access rights via a first listen before
talk
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function implementing a first listen before talk time duration. The
communication
management hardware also monitors a second bandwidth to acquire access rights
via
a second listen before talk function implementing a second listen before talk
time
duration. In one embodiment, the communication management hardware acquires
access rights to both the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth in response
to
detecting that wireless signals in both the first bandwidth and the second
bandwidth
are below respective energy threshold levels during the first listen before
talk time
duration.
Now, with reference to the drawings, FIG. 11 is an example diagram
illustrating monitoring of a network environment for wireless communications
via
implementation of multiple independent listen before talk functions (LBT1 and
LBT2) according to embodiments herein. Note that any of the wireless
communication devices (such as wireless base station 131, wireless base
station 132,
..., mobile communication device 151, mobile communication device 152, ...) in
the
network environment 100 can be configured to implement the multiple listen
before
talk functions as described herein.
As shown in this example embodiment, network environment 100 includes
network 190 (such as remote network), wireless base station 131, wireless base
station
132, wireless base station 133, wireless base station 134, etc. In this
example
embodiment, the wireless base station 131 includes a communication manager
1140
(a.k.a., a communication management resource such as communication management
hardware and or communication management software) to perform processing
operations associated with the wireless base station 131.
Network environment 100 further includes multiple sets of mobile
communication devices such as mobile communication devices 150, set of mobile
communication devices 160, etc.
In this example embodiment, the set of mobile communication devices 150
includes mobile communication device 151 (a.k.a., UE1 or wireless station #1),
mobile communication device 152 (a.k.a., UE2 or wireless station #2), mobile
communication device 153 (a.k.a., UE3 or wireless station #3), etc.
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The set of mobile communication devices 160 includes mobile communication
device 161 (a.k.a., UE5 or wireless station #5), mobile communication device
162
(a.k.a., UE6 or wireless station #6), etc.
In one nonlimiting example embodiment, each of the mobile communication
devices is operated by a respective user. Each mobile communication device
includes
a respective display screen to display one or more images for viewing by the
respective user based on received data over a respective wireless
communication link
extending between the mobile communication device and the wireless base
station
131 (such as a gNodeB or other suitable entity).
Via the one or more wireless communication links 127, the wireless base
station 131 provides each of the mobile communication devices 150 access to
remote
network 190; via one or more wireless communication links 128, the wireless
base
station 131 provides the mobile communication devices 160 access to remote
network
190; and so on.
Wireless base station 131 includes one or more sets of antenna hardware to
communicate with communication devices over respective wireless communication
links. For example, the wireless base station 131 uses bandwidth BWP1 (such as
first
bandwidth, wireless channel, etc.) to communicate (wirelessly receive and
transmit)
over first antenna hardware 171 of wireless base station 131 with the multiple
communication devices UE1, UE2, UE3, etc., over wireless communication links
127; wireless base station 131 uses bandwidth BWP2 (such as second bandwidth,
wireless channel, etc.) to communicate (wirelessly receive and transmit) over
second
antenna hardware 172 of wireless base station 131 with the multiple
communication
devices UE5, UE6, etc., over wireless communication links 128; and so on.
As further shown, wireless base station 131 and corresponding communication
manager 1140 is in communication with the first mobile communication device
151
via a first wireless communication link of the multiple wireless communication
links
127; wireless base station 131 and corresponding communication manager 1140 is
in
communication with the first mobile communication device 151 via a first
wireless
communication link of multiple wireless links 127; wireless base station 131
and
corresponding communication manager 1140 is in communication with the second
mobile communication device 152 via a second wireless communication link of
the
wireless communication links 127; wireless base station 131 and corresponding
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communication manager 1140 is in communication with the third mobile
communication device 153 via a third wireless communication link of the
wireless
communication links 127; and so on.
Wireless base station 131 and corresponding communication manager 1140 is
in communication with the first mobile communication device 161 via a first
wireless
communication link_ of wireless communication links 128; wireless base station
131
and corresponding communication manager 1140 is in communication with the
second mobile communication device 162 via a second wireless communication
link
of wireless communication links 128; and so on.
Note that the resources as described herein such as wireless base station 131,
communication manager 1140, mobile communication devices, etc., can be
implemented via hardware, executed software, or a combination of hardware and
executed software.
More specifically, communication manager 1140 (a.k.a., wireless base station
131) can be implemented as communication (connection) manager hardware,
executed communication (connection) manager software, or a combination of
communication manager hardware and executed communication manager software;
wireless base station 131 can be implemented as wireless base station
hardware,
executed wireless base station software, or a combination of wireless base
station
hardware and executed wireless base station software; mobile communication
device
151 can be implemented as mobile communication device hardware, executed
mobile
communication device software, or a combination of mobile communication device
hardware and executed mobile communication device software; and so on.
The wireless base station 131 and corresponding communication manager
1140 support wireless communications with the mobile communication devices via
any suitable wireless communication protocol such as one or more of WiFi TM,
LTE
(Long Term Evolution), LAA (Licensed Assisted Access), NR (New Radio), NR-U
(New Radio Unlicensed), etc., in the same or different bandwidth. In certain
instances, the wireless stations share use of the same wireless bandwidth
(such as one
or more wireless channels or bandwidth) to convey wireless communications to
one
or more intended recipient.
In operation #1 of FIG. 11, to support wireless connectivity with the
different
sets of mobile communication devices 150 and 160, via the connection
management
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resource 1140, the wireless base station 131 simultaneously implements first
listen
before talk function 1141 (LBT1) to acquire rights to use bandwidth BWP1 (such
as
bandwidth part #1) and a second listen before talk function 1142 procedure
(LBT2) to
acquire rights to use bandwidth BWP2 (such as bandwidth part #2).
Thus, in one embodiment, the wireless base station 131 and corresponding
communication manager 1140 monitors, via the multiple listen before talk
functions
(such as listen before talk function 1141 or LBT1 and second listen before
talk
function 1142 such as LBT2), both a first bandwidth (such as first bandwidth
part,
wireless channel, etc.) and a second bandwidth (such as second bandwidth part,
wireless channel, etc.) to transmit wireless communications in the network
environment 100.
In this example embodiment, during operation, via the listen before talk
function 1141, the communication manager 1140 hardware associated with the
wireless base station 131 monitors a first bandwidth to acquire corresponding
access
rights in bandwidth BWP1 using monitor parameters 1151. The first listen
before talk
function 1141 implements a first listen before talk time duration 1151-1.
Via the second listen before talk function 1142, the communication manager
1140 also monitors a second bandwidth BWP2 to acquire corresponding access
rights
in bandwidth BWP2 using monitor parameters 1152. The listen before talk
function
1142 implements a second listen before talk time duration 1152-1.
In one embodiment, the first listen before talk time duration 1151-1 is less
than the second listen before talk time duration 1152-1.
In still further example embodiments, and as further discussed herein, the
communication manager 1140 acquires access rights to both the first bandwidth
BWP1 and the second bandwidth BWP2 in response to detecting that wireless
signals
in both the first bandwidth BWP1 and the second bandwidth BWP2 are below
respective energy threshold levels (such as energy threshold level 1151-2 and
energy
threshold level 1152-2) during the first listen before talk time duration
associated with
the listen before talk function 1141. Additional details of acquiring access
rights is
shown in the following FIGS. and corresponding text.
FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating spacing of multiple monitored
bandwidths according to embodiments herein_
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In this example embodiment, assume that the bandwidth BWP1 has a center
carrier frequency of CFI and that the bandwidth BWP2 as a center carrier
frequency
of CF2. The value X represents a spacing between the carrier frequency CF1 and
carrier frequency CF2. Gap 1220 represents a spacing between bandwidth BWP1
and
bandwidth BWP2.
Note that the value X varies depending on the embodiment. In one
embodiment, the spacing value X between a center carrier frequency CF1 of the
first
bandwidth BWP1 and a center carrier frequency CF2 of the second bandwidth BWP2
is greater than a predetermined threshold value such as 200 MHz, 300 MHz, 500
MHz, etc., or any other suitable value.
In accordance with further example embodiments, acquiring access rights to
both the first bandwidth BWP1 and the second bandwidth BWP2 is dependent, at
least in part, upon a bandwidth separation between the first bandwidth and the
second
bandwidth. For example, the first bandwidth BWP1 may belong to the 5GHz
spectrum; second bandwidth BWP2 may belong to the 6GHz spectrum. Each of the
different listen before talk functions 1141, 1142, etc., implemented one of
multiple
listen before talk protocols such as Cat2, Cat4, etc.
FIG. 13 is an example diagram illustrating monitoring of energy associated
with multiple bandwidths and comparison to respective threshold levels
according to
embodiments herein.
In still further example embodiments, acquisition of the bandwidth rights by
the communication manager 1140 associated with the wireless base station 131
includes: via the first listen before talk function 1141, monitoring the
network
environment 100 for wireless signals in the first bandwidth BWP1 starting at
time
T101. In one embodiment, based on wireless energy detected by the first
antenna
hardware 171, the listen before talk function 1141 produces signal S-BWP1
indicative
of a first wireless power (energy) level of receiving communications in the
first
monitored bandwidth BWP1. The listen before talk function 1141 compares the
signal S-BWP1 over time duration 1151-1 to the first threshold level 1151-2
(a.k.a.,
TL1).
Additionally, based on wireless energy detected by the second antenna
hardware 172 (which may be the same as antenna hardware 171), the listen
before
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talk function 1142 produces signal S-BWP2 indicative of a second wireless
power
(energy) level of receiving wireless communications in the second bandwidth
BWP2
starting at time T101 or other random time before or after time T101. The
listen
before talk function 1142 compares the signal S-BWP2 over time duration 1152-1
to
the second threshold level 1152-2 (such as threshold level TL1).
In accordance with further example embodiments, acquisition of the rights to
use the first bandwidth BWP1 and bandwidth BWP2 includes: i) via the first
listen
before talk function 1141, detecting that a magnitude of the first signal S-
BWP1 is
less than the threshold level TL1 (energy detect level 1151-2) for the entire
LBT1
time duration 1151-2 (such as time between T101 and T102); and ii) via the
second
listen before talk function 1142, detecting that a magnitude of the second
signal S-
BWP2 is less than the threshold level TL1 (energy detect level 1152-2) for the
entire
LBT1 time duration 1151-1 (instead of time duration 1152-1).
Thus, in this example embodiment, the wireless base station 131 acquires use
of the bandwidth BWP1 and bandwidth BWP2 at or around time T102 (associated
with the shorter time duration 1151-1) instead of at time T103 corresponding
to the
longer time duration 1152-1.
Note that the magnitude of the energy threshold levels can be set to any
suitable value depending on the embodiment. By way of non-limiting example
embodiment, in one embodiment, the energy threshold level 1151-2 is equal to -
72dBm; the energy threshold level 1152-2 is equal to -72dBm.
Thus, the respective threshold levels implemented by the first listen before
talk
function 1141 and the second listen before talk function 1142 include a first
wireless
energy threshold level 1151-2 (TL1) and a second wireless energy threshold
level
1152-2 (TL1). In this example embodiment, the magnitude of the energy
threshold
levels 1151-2 and 1152-2 are the same. As discussed below, the energy
threshold
levels applied by each of the listen before talk functions can vary.
Referring again to FIG. 11 (or FIG. 1), in one embodiment, acquisition of the
rights to use both the first bandwidth BWP1 and the second bandwidth BWP2
results
in communicating a message indicating acquisition of the first bandwidth from
the
first listen before talk function 1141 (component carrier monitor) that
monitors the
first bandwidth BWP1 to a second listen before talk function 1142 (component
carrier
monitor) that monitors the second bandwidth BWP2. Such notification (such as
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acquisition of a wireless channel) can be configured to trigger the second
listen before
talk function 1142 to change the remaining amount of time that the listen
before talk
function 1142 is to monitor the wireless signal S-BWP2 to be below a threshold
level
1152-2 in order to acquire the wireless channel BWP2. The remaining amount of
listen before talk end time can be changed to a final time duration end value
of
anywhere between time T102 and time T103. As further discussed below,
embodiments herein include monitoring the respective energy detect threshold
level
of the second listen before talk function 1142 in response to detecting a
condition in
which the first listen before talk function 1141 acquires the wireless channel
BWP1.
FIG. 14 is an example diagram illustrating monitoring of energy associated
with multiple bandwidths and comparison to respective threshold levels
according to
embodiments herein.
In one embodiment, note that the energy detection threshold levels
implemented by each of the listen before talk function 1141 and 1142 may
initially be
the same threshold level setting such as threshold level TL1. However,
depending on
the outcome of the listen before talk function 1141 associated with bandwidth
part
BWP1, such as a successful access to the BWP1 channel, the second listen
before talk
function 1142 implements a different energy detect threshold level TL2 (such
as less
sensitive setting). Thus, the listen before talk function 1141 and listen
before talk
function 1142 may initially be the same threshold level TL1, but eventually
implement different threshold levels as discussed below.
As an example, the level/threshold that the second listen before talk function
1142 uses to monitor usage of a second bandwidth part BWP2 depends on the
status
of the first listen before talk function 1141 monitoring the first bandwidth
part BWP1.
More specifically, if the first listen before talk function 1141 detects
presence
of a signal S-BWP1 in the first bandwidth part above the threshold level TL1,
then the
second listen before talk function 1142 compares the received signal S-BWP2
with
the same first energy detect threshold level TL1 that was implemented by the
first
listen before talk function 1141. However, if the first listen before talk
function 1141
detects a signal S-BWP1 in the monitored channel (such as first bandwidth
part) that
is lower than the first threshold level TL1 (a.k.a., level 1152-1) for the
time duration
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1151-1, the first LBT function 1141 is granted use of the channel BWP1; in
such an
instance, in one embodiment, because the first listen before talk function
1141
acquires use of the first bandwidth part BWP1 such as at or around time T112
and
thereafter, the second listen before talk function 1142 switches to
implementing an
alternative energy detect level, such as a second energy detect threshold
level TL2 (a
higher energy detect threshold level) instead of the first energy detection
threshold
level TL1, to determine the availability of the second bandwidth part BWP2
(channel).
In other words, at or around time T112, assume that the listen before talk
function 1141 obtains the channel BWP1. The granted use or current use of a
first
bandwidth part BWP1 to the wireless station 131 causes a change to the energy
detect
threshold level implemented by the second listen before talk function 1142 at
or
around time T112 to monitor the second bandwidth part BWP2.
For example, in response to detecting that the first listen before talk
function
1141 obtains rights to use channel BWP1, the listen before talk function 1142
increases the energy detect threshold level from threshold level TL1 (such as -
82 dBm
or other suitable value) to a higher threshold level TL2 (such as -72 dBm or
other
suitable value). If the signal S-BWP2 as monitored by the listen before talk
function
1142 remains below the raised threshold level TL2 for the final duration (such
as
between T112 and T113) of the listen before talk duration LBT2 (1152-1), the
listen
before talk function 1142 acquires the channel BWP2 for use as well.
Conversely, if
the signal S-BWP2 is greater than the threshold level TL2 any time between
time
T112 and time T113, the listen before talk function 1142 does not acquire the
use of
the channel BWP2.
In still further example embodiments, note that embodiments herein include
implementing a combination of energy detect threshold level adjustment and
listen
before talk time duration adjustment. For example, in response to detecting
that the
first listen before talk function 1141 acquires the wireless channel BWP1 such
as at or
around time T112, the final end time of the listen before talk time duration
1152-1 can
be shortened to any time value between T112 and T113. As previously discussed,
the
energy detect threshold level can be raised to a higher energy detect
threshold level.
If the second listen before talk function 1142 detects that the signal S-BWP2
remains
below the variable threshold level and duration a full duration of the
variable listen
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before talk time duration, the second listen before talk function 1142
acquires use of
the wireless channel BWP2.
Additionally, as previously discussed, note again that the first listen before
talk function 1141 and the second listen before talk function 1142 do not
always start
monitoring signal levels for channel acquisition at the same time.
Note that the magnitudes of the energy threshold levels can be any suitable
values. For example, in one embodiment, the energy threshold level 1152-1 is
equal
to -82dBm; the energy threshold level 1152-2 is initially equal to a value
such as -
82dBm, but is later changed to another threshold level such as -72dBm, in
response
to detecting acquisition of the wireless channel BWP1 by the wireless station
131.
In a similar manner as previously discussed, acquisition of the bandwidth
usage rights by the communication manager 1140 includes: via the first listen
before
talk function 1141, monitoring the network environment 100 for wireless
signals in
the first bandwidth BWP1. In one embodiment, based on wireless energy detected
by
the first antenna hardware 171 monitoring the bandwidth BWP1, the listen
before talk
function 1141 produces signal S-BWP1 indicative of a first wireless energy
level of
receiving communications in the first bandwidth BWP1. The listen before talk
function 1141 compares the signal S-BWP1 to the first threshold level 1152-1
(TL1)
to determine availability of the bandwidth BWP1.
Based on wireless energy detected by the second antenna hardware 172, the
listen before talk function 1142 produces signal S-BWP2 indicative of a second
wireless energy level of receiving communications in the second bandwidth
BWP2.
The listen before talk function 1142 compares the signal S-BWP2 to the second
threshold level 1152-2 (such as initially TL1).
In accordance with further example embodiments, acquisition of the rights to
use the first bandwidth BWP1 and bandwidth BWP2 includes: i) via the first
listen
before talk function 1141, detecting that a magnitude of the first signal S-
BWP1 is
less than the threshold level TL1 (energy detect level 1152-1) for the entire
LBT1
time duration 1151-1 (such as between time T111 and time T112); and ii) via
the
second listen before talk function 1142, detecting that a magnitude of the
second
signal S-BWP2 is less than the threshold level TL2 (energy detect level 1152-
2, where
TL1 > TL2) for the entire LBT1 time duration 1151-1 (such as time between T111
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and T112) instead of full time duration 1152-2 (such as between time T111 and
time
T113).
As previously discussed, the embodiments as described herein can be
implemented in any suitable environment. Note that in the 5GHz and 6GHz
unlicensed spectrum, channel access is specified per 20MHz. channels. In this
unlicensed spectrum, each bandwidth (BWP) may be defined as a contiguous
portion
of the spectrum (such as gap 1220 in FIG. 12 being equal to zero or near zero)
with
bandwidth of 20MHz (or multiple of 20MHz). Hence, when accessing multiple
bandwidths (such as BWP1 and BWP2), which are potentially non-contiguous BWPs
(i.e., spaced apart from each other as shown in FIG. 12, such as X > a
predetermined
threshold value such as 300 MHz or other suitable value), the communication
manager 1140 implements listen before talk functions 1141 and 1142.
Some listen before talk regulators specify the type of LBT category to be used
when a respective communication device (such as wireless base station 131)
accesses
multiple channels at the same time. For instance, policies require channel
access of
each 20MHz via LBT Cat4 (random listen interval time), unless the channel has
a
frequency separation X (some predetermined amount) or gap 1220 less than a
threshold with a primary channel that LBT Cat4 is invoked for, in which case,
LBT
Cat2 is invoked.
In one embodiment, as previously discussed, if a wireless base station 131
(such as gNB) attempts to simultaneously access multiple BWPs with an LBT type
Cat4 (each has a different random listen interval), there is a chance that LBT
function
(procedure) may be successful only on a subset of the BWPs being acquired. As
previously discussed, to enhance channel access across all of the BWPs, a
wireless
base station 131 (such as gNB) may use LBT Cat4 when monitoring BWP1 (such as
via listen before talk function 1141) and a different LBT category (such as
via listen
before talk function 1142) when monitoring another BWP2.
In further example embodiments, the listen before talk function 1141 of the
wireless base station 131 implements LBT Cat4 (random back off time or listen
interval such as between 10 to 40 microseconds) on each of the listen before
talk
monitoring functions 1141 and 1142. As soon as the associated back-off timer
for the
LBT of one BWP expires (indicating a successful LBT Cat4 access), in a manner
as
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previously discussed, the wireless base station 131 acquires all the monitored
BWPs
simultaneously, pending no signal stronger than the EDT (threshold level TL1
or
TL2) is detected in each of the monitored bandwidth parts. This is equivalent
that the
LBT category for the remaining BWPs (while not Cat4) has a back-off time
longer
than the back-off time of LBT Cat2 (fixed listen interval time of 25
microseconds).
Carrier Aggregation
Note that embodiments herein can be extended to channel access in carrier
aggregation (CA) use cases. For example, in LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks
and NR (New Radio) networks, carrier aggregation refers to aggregation of
multiple
component carriers (CC) where an eNB/gNB (a.k.a., wireless station) transmits
or
receives wireless signals across the component carriers. Similarly, a UE that
is
configured to operate in multiple component carriers, transmits or receives
wireless
signals across the two or more component carriers.
Note that in carrier aggregation, a respective MAC processing layer and PHY
processing layer of each component carrier is independent of MAC/PHY of
another
component carrier (while there is synchronization among PHY of multiple CCs).
Note further that carrier aggregation is also possible across multiple
component carriers, where all of the component carriers belong to a same
unlicensed
band, e.g. 5GHz, or the multiple component carriers may belong to two or more
unlicensed bands in which a first component carrier CC1 may be implemented via
5GHz bandwidth while a second component carrier CC2 may be implemented via
6GHz bandwidth.
For sake of better coexistence with other RATs (Radio Access Technologies)
using the same unlicensed band, the different carrier components in 5GHz and
6GHz
unlicensed bands have bandwidth of an integer multiple of 20MHz. For channel
access and transmission in each unlicensed component carrier, a respective LBT
function needs to be invoked.
Performing LBT Cat4 in each component carrier is the most conservative
channel access and offers best coexistence. However, it would also lead to
more
time/spectrum waste since long and often listen intervals for each component
carrier
has to be performed. If a wireless base station (such as gNB) implementing
carrier
aggregation attempts to access multiple component carriers with LBT Cat4 (such
as
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implementation of listen before talk function 1141 to acquire bandwidth BWP1
and
implementation of listen before talk function 1142 to acquire bandwidth BWP2),
in a
manner as previously discussed, there is a chance that LBT procedure may be
successful only on a subset of the component carriers. To enhance channel
access, a
wireless base station (gNB) may be configured to use LBT Cat4 on a first
component
carrier (such as associated with listen before talk function 1141) and a
different LBT
function (such as CAT2 or listen before talk function 1142) on another
component
carrier.
In one embodiment, a wireless station (such as gNB/UE) implementing carrier
aggregation starts LBT Cat4 on one or more CCs. As soon as the associated back-
off
timer for the LBT of one CC expires (indicating a successful LBT Cat4 access),
the
gNB accesses the other component carriers simultaneously in a manner as
previously
discussed, assuming that no signal stronger than the EDT threshold level is
detected in
each of the other CCs. Effectively, this is equivalent that the LBT category
for the
remaining component carriers has a back-off time longer than the back-off time
of
LBT Cat2.
In yet further example embodiments, the first bandwidth of one or more
frequency blocks represents a first component carrier component; the second
bandwidth of one or more frequency blocks represents a second carrier
component.
Acquisition of the access rights to both the first bandwidth and the second
bandwidth
includes carrier aggregation of the first component carrier and the second
component.
Note that, due to some independent processing in one component carrier
versus another component carrier, the method for which one component carrier
infers
that the LBT has been successful in another CC may be left for implementation.
More specifically, an implementation signaling between the PHY/MAC
processing entity of multiple CCs may be configured to carry a respective LBT-
success signal associated with a listen before talk monitoring function. In
one
embodiment, the signaling amongst multiple component carriers includes
information
such as: channel/sub-band index that the CC operates at. LBT success status,
etc.
In another implementation, a respective LBT mechanism (such as listen before
talk function 1141, listen before talk function 1152, etc.) may be enhanced to
infer
that a detected signal that exceeds a second threshold EDT2 is in fact from a
component carrier of the same device, hence indicating a successful LBT
procedure in
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an adjacent component carrier. In one embodiment, a very high threshold level
EDT2
may be implemented to detect a very close transmission, e.g. -30dBm.
In accordance with further example embodiments, in a manner as previously
discussed, the LBT function in a component carrier, such as component carrier
CC1,
initiates a back-off interval (e.g. based on LBT Cat4) and starts sensing the
channel
for any detected signal during a back-off interval (the listen interval).
Component
carrier CC1 continues sensing the channel given no signal above the
corresponding
threshold level (such as EDT) is detected. While waiting for the respective
LBT
interval to expire, if a signal larger than threshold level (such as EDT2) is
detected, it
may be inferred that the detected signal is from a nearby component carrier
such as
component carrier CCO, (indicating a successful LBT in CCO). In such an
instance,
component carrier CC1 may start transmission. Note that for this
implementation it is
assumed that CC1 has an auxiliary receiver for channel sensing in the same sub-
band
that CCO operates.
FIG. 15 is an example block diagram of a computer system for implementing
any of the operations as previously discussed according to embodiments herein.
Any of the resources (such as communication manager 1140, listen before talk
function 1141, listen before talk function 1142, wireless base station 131,
mobile
communication device 151, mobile communication device 152, mobile
communication device 161, etc.) as discussed herein can be configured to
include
computer processor hardware and/or corresponding executable instructions to
carry
out the different operations as discussed herein.
As shown, computer system 1550 of the present example includes
interconnect 1511 coupling computer readable storage media 1512 such as a non-
transitory type of media (which can be any suitable type of hardware storage
medium
in which digital information can be stored and or retrieved), a processor 1513
(computer processor hardware), I/0 interface 1514, and a communications
interface
1517.
I/0 interface(s) 1514 supports connectivity to repository 1580 and input
resource 1592.
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Computer readable storage medium 1512 can be any hardware storage device
such as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In one
embodiment, the
computer readable storage medium 1512 stores instructions and/or data.
As shown, computer readable storage media 1512 can be encoded with
communication manager application 1140-1 (e.g., including instructions) in a
respective wireless station to carry out any of the operations as discussed
herein.
During operation of one embodiment, processor 1513 accesses computer
readable storage media 1512 via the use of interconnect 1511 in order to
launch, run,
execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions in communication
manager
application 1140-1 stored on computer readable storage medium 1512. Execution
of
the communication manager application 1140-1 produces communication manager
process 1140-2 to carry out any of the operations and/or processes as
discussed
herein.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 1550 can
include other processes and/or software and hardware components, such as an
operating system that controls allocation and use of hardware resources to
execute
communication manager application 1140-1.
In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system may
reside in any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a
mobile
computer, a personal computer system, a wireless device, a wireless access
point, a
base station, phone device, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, netbook
computer,
mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer,
application server, storage device, a consumcr electronics device such as a
camera,
camcorder, set top box, mobile device, video game console, handheld video game
device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, set-top box,
content
management device, handheld remote control device, any type of computing or
electronic device, etc. The computer system 1550 may reside at any location or
can
be included in any suitable resource in any network environment to implement
functionality as discussed herein.
Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussed via
the flowchart in FIG. 16. Note that the steps in the flowcharts below can be
executed
in any suitable order_
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FIG. 16 is a flowchart 1600 illustrating an example method according to
embodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect to
concepts as
discussed above.
In processing operation 1610, via the first listen before talk function 1141,
the
communication manager 1140 (such as communication management hardware or
communication management software) associated with wireless base station 131
monitors a first bandwidth (such as BWP1) to obtain respective access rights.
The
first listen before talk function 1141 implements a first listen before talk
time duration
to acquire the bandwidth BWP I.
In processing operation 1620, via the first listen before talk function 1142,
the
communication manager 1140 (such as communication management hardware or
communication management software) associated with wireless base station 131
monitors a second bandwidth (such as BWP2) to obtain respective access rights.
The
second listen before talk function 1142 implements a second listen before talk
time
duration to acquire the bandwidth BWP2.
In processing operation 1630, the communication management hardware
associated with wireless base station 131 acquires access rights to both the
first
bandwidth and the second bandwidth in response to detecting that a strength of
corresponding monitored wireless signals received in both the first bandwidth
and the
second bandwidth are below respective energy threshold levels (such as TL1 and
TL1, or TL1 and TL2) during the first listen before talk time duration (such
as LBT1
time duration).
THIRD EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments herein include communication management hardware. During
operation, each of multiple instance of the communication management hardware
(such as associated with each respective mobile communication device) receives
notification of a wireless channel scheduled for shared use amongst multiple
mobile
communication devices. A first mobile communication device (and corresponding
communication management hardware) implements a first listen before talk
function
to acquire use of a portion (such as first time slot) of the shared wireless
channel. For
example, via implementation of a first listen before talk function, the first
mobile
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communication device acquires use of a first time slot of the wireless channel
scheduled for shared use. The communication management hardware associated
with
the second mobile communication device fails to acquire use of the first time
slot
because it detects use of the first time slot of the wireless channel by the
first mobile
communication device. Thereafter, the second mobile communication device
monitors, via a second listen before talk function implemented by the
communication
management hardware, for non-use of a second time slot of the wireless channel
to
acquire use of the second time slot amongst the multiple mobile communication
devices. If the first mobile communication device (or other mobile
communication
devices or wireless stations) do not use the second time slot in the allocated
wireless
channel, the second mobile communication device acquires the second time slot
and
communicates data in an uplink direction from the second mobile communication
device to the wireless base station.
Now, more specifically, FIG. 17 is an example diagram illustrating of wireless
channel resources (such as one or more timeslots) for use by a set of mobile
communication devices according to embodiments herein.
As shown in this example embodiment, wireless network environment 100
includes network 190 (such as remote network such as the Internet), wireless
base
station 131, wireless base station 132, wireless base station 133, wireless
base station
134, etc. Wireless base station 131 includes a communication management
resource
1741 (a.k.a., communication management hardware and/or software) to perform
processing operations associated with the wireless base station 131.
Network environment 100 further includes set of mobile communication
devices 150.
In this example embodiment, the set of mobile communication devices 150
includes mobile communication device 151 (a.k.a., user equipment #1 or
wireless
station #1), mobile communication device 152 (a.k.a., user equipment #2 or
wireless
station #2), mobile communication device 153 (a.k.a., user equipment #3 or
wireless
station #3), etc.
In one nonlimiting example embodiment, each of the mobile communication
devices in the set 150 is operated by a respective user. Each mobile
communication
device includes a respective display screen on which to display one or more
images
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for viewing by the respective user based on received data over a respective
wireless
communication link from the wireless base station 131. For example, via one or
more
wireless communication links 127, the wireless base station 131 provides the
mobile
communication devices 150 access to remote network 190.
Wireless base station 131 includes one or more sets of antenna hardware to
communicate with communication devices over respective wireless communication
links. For example, the wireless base station 131 uses bandwidth BWP1 (such as
first
bandwidth) or other bandwidth to communicate over first antenna hardware 171
of
wireless base station 131 with the multiple communication devices UE1, UE2,
UE3,
etc., over wireless communication links 127.
In one embodiment, wireless base station 131 and corresponding
communication management resource 1741 is in communication with the first
mobile
communication device 151 via a first wireless communication link of the
multiple
wireless communication links 127; wireless base station 131 and corresponding
communication management resource 1741 is in communication with the first
mobile
communication device 152 via a second wireless communication link of the
multiple
wireless links 127; wireless base station 131 and corresponding connection
management resource 141 is in communication with the third mobile
communication
device 153 via a third wireless communication link of the wireless
communication
links 127; and so on.
Note that the resources as described herein such as wireless base station 131,
communication management resource 1741, mobile communication devices, etc.,
can
be implemented via hardware, executed software, or a combination of hardware
and
executed software.
More specifically, communication management resource 1741 (a.k.a., wireless
base station 131) can be implemented as communication (connection) management
hardware, executed communication (connection) management software, or a
combination of communication management hardware and executed communication
management software; wireless base station 131 can be implemented as wireless
base
station hardware, executed wireless base station software, or a combination of
wireless base station hardware and executed wireless base station software;
each
mobile communication device (a.k.a., user equipment) can be implemented as
mobile
communication device hardware, executed mobile communication device software,
or
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a combination of mobile communication device hardware and executed mobile
communication device software; and so on.
As further discussed herein, the wireless base station 131 and corresponding
communication management resource 1741 support wireless communication with the
mobile communication devices via any suitable wireless communication protocol
such as one or more of WiFi TM, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LAA (Licensed
Assisted Access), NR (New Radio), NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed), etc., in the
same
or different bandwidth. In certain instances, the wireless stations share use
of the
same wireless bandwidth (such as one or more wireless channels) to convey
communications to one or more intended recipients in remote network 190.
As described herein, based on acquisition of wireless resources in any
suitable
manner, the wireless base station 131 initially receives access rights to use
the first
bandwidth BWP1 and assign use of same to the set of mobile communication
devices
150.
As further shown in this example embodiment, via communications 1720,
communication management resource 1741 associated with the wireless base
station
131 assigns use of multiple wireless resources (such as timeslots 1701, 1702,
1703,
1704, 1705, 1706, etc.) associated with bandwidth BWP1 for shared use by the
set of
mobile communication devices 150 to communicate in the uplink to the wireless
base
station 131. As further discussed below, the mobile communication devices in
the set
150 can be configured to compete with each other to acquire and use the
respective
timeslots associated with the wireless bandwidth BWP1.
In one embodiment, each of the mobile communication devices receives the
notification (such as via communications 1720) of assigned wireless
communication
resources from wireless base station 131 or other suitable entity that
controls use of
the shared wireless channel.
Each of the mobile communication devices includes a respective
communication management resource to support wireless communications. For
example, mobile communication device 151 includes communication management
resource 1771 to execute multiple different listen before talk functions 1761
(such as
a first listen before talk function, second listen before talk function,
etc.); mobile
communication device 152 includes communication management resource 1772 to
execute multiple different listen before talk functions 1762 (such as a first
listen
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before talk function, second listen before talk function, etc.); mobile
communication
device 153 includes communication management resource 1773 to execute multiple
different listen before talk functions 1763 (such as a first listen before
talk function,
second listen before talk function, etc.).
In one embodiment, the first listen before talk function (such as LBT1) is a
first listen before talk protocol such as CAT 4 or other suitable protocol;
the second
listen before talk function (such as LBT2) is a second listen before talk
protocol such
as CAT 2 or other suitable protocol; and so on.
As further discussed below, one embodiment herein includes channel/medium
sharing between NR-U UEs (such as mobile communication devices 151, 152, 153,
etc.), in which a (first) UE initiates an uplink (UL) transmission after
performing a
Listen before talk protocol such as listen before talk function Cat 4. In one
embodiment, the first mobile communication device 151 uses the first time slot
1701
to support wireless communications; thereafter, the set of resources (such as
other
unused timeslots) may be used by other members of the set of mobile
communication
devices 150 depending on availability.
In one nonlimiting example embodiment, to enable UE medium sharing,
instead of contention among UEs, the following changes with respect to R16 can
be
implemented.
For example, a wireless base station 131 (such as gNB) configures two or
more CG Resources (CGR) such as timeslots across the same BWPs (or sub-bands),
where the first CGR starts one or more OFDM symbol(s) earlier than the
subsequent
CGRs. CGR1 (such as a first time slot of the bandwidth BWP1) is accessed by a
first
mobile communication device 151 using LBT CAT4 back-off interval time
duration.
CGR2 (such as a second time slot of bandwidth BWP2), is accessed by a second
(guest) UE, using LBT Cat2 back-off interval time duration.
In one embodiment, in order to reduce collisions amongst the mobile
communication devices using the same timeslots, a UE may be allowed to access
either of the CGRs, but not both. Hence, the first UE that transmits in the
first CORI
(wireless resource such as first time slot) does not attempt to transmit in
CGR2
(wireless resource such as second time slot). All mobile communication devices
(configured to use CGR1 and CGR2) that have failed to access the first CGR1,
may
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attempt to access and transmit in CGR2 if they acquire CGR2 with a respective
appropriate LBT.
In accordance with further example embodiments, a mobile communication
device that attempts to access the first CGR may not have its back-off timer
interval
reach zero in order to be allowed to access the first CGR. If the mobile
communication device detects the first CGR is accessed (by another UE), then
the UE
may attempt to access the subsequent CGRs as a guest UE (and with LBT Cat2).
In one embodiment, the method to detect if another UE has accessed the first
CGR is implementation-based, and may include comparing the energy information
such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) or RSRP (Reference Signal
Received Power) of the monitored bandwidth BWP1 to one or more threshold
levels.
Additionally, or alternatively, embodiments herein include detecting use of a
respective time slot via detecting presence reference signals such as DM-RS
(Demodulation Reference Signal) or other suitable information. In one
embodiment,
DM-RS refers to a demodulation reference signal transmitted by respective user
equipment. It is used by a receiver for radio channel estimation for
demodulation of
the associated physical channel.
In accordance with further example embodiments, the mobile communication
device performs LBT Cat2 before the next CGR and if successful, the UE
transmits in
the next CGR.
To enhance coexistence, a guest mobile communication device may attempt to
use CAT2 only if the detected RSSI/RSRP during the first CGR (time slot) is
larger
than a configurable threshold. By setting the threshold to a larger value, a
wireless
base station (such as gNB) ensures that mobile communication devices in close
proximity share the channel.
In one embodiment, channel sharing amongst multiple different instances of
user equipment includes implementing the following rules: i) the maximum
duration
should be less than maximum COT (Channel Occupancy Time) or MCOT duration,
ii) the number of UEs that can share the channel with the first UE may be
limited, iii)
the gap between transmission of the first UE and that of the 2nd UE (with LBT
CAT2) may be subject to a max value.
More specific examples of sharing use of the bandwidth BWP1 are discussed
below _
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FIG. 18 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition and use of available
time slots amongst multiple mobile communication devices according to
embodiments herein.
As previously discussed, the communication management resource 1741
allocates use of the wireless channel BWP1 and corresponding timeslots (or
configured grant resources) by the multiple mobile communication devices 151,
152,
153, etc.
Assume in this example embodiment that at least the mobile communication
device 151 and 152 desires to acquire use of the first time slot 1701 (such as
first
configured grant resource) associated with bandwidth BWP1 to communicate in an
uplink direction to the wireless base station 131.
In such an instance, each of the mobile communication devices initially
implements a first listen before talk function LBT1 to attempt to acquire the
first time
slot and communicate in an uplink direction to the wireless base station 131.
More specifically, at time Ti, the first mobile communication device 151
(UE1) implements LBT1 and time duration TD1-1 (listen before talk time
interval) to
acquire use of the time slot 1701; at time Ti, the second mobile communication
device 152 (UE2) implements LBT1 and time duration TD2-1 (listen before talk
time
interval) to acquire use of the time slot 1701; and so on.
In one embodiment, the time duration used by the respective mobile
communication device is a random time duration value. The listen before talk
function LBT1 associated with the mobile communication device 151 generates a
first
random listen before talk interval time duration TD1-1; The listen before talk
function LBT1 associated with the mobile communication device 152 generates a
second random listen before talk interval time duration TD2-1;
In this example embodiment, the time duration TD1-1 is a shorter duration
with respect to the time duration TD2-1.
Each of the mobile communication devices 151, 152, etc., attempting to
acquire the time slot 1701 monitors for presence of wireless energy in the
bandwidth
BWP1 prior to acquisition.
In this example embodiment, assume that the energy signal 1860 represents a
respective energy level associated with the bandwidth BWP1 in the network
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environment 100 over time. Each of the mobile communication devices 151, 152,
153, etc., monitors a magnitude of the energy. The amount of energy in the
bandwidth BWP1 detected by each of the mobile communication devices is
approximately equal to energy signal 1860, more or less as the actual energy
at each
location may vary.
Because the time duration TD1-1 is less than time duration TD2-1, the mobile
communication device 151 detects that the detected energy level of wireless
energy in
the bandwidth BWP1 is less than the energy threshold level 1750 for an
appropriate
amount of time to acquire use of the first time slot of the allocated
bandwidth BWP1.
At around time T11, because the first mobile communication device 151 (UE1)
acquires the wireless bandwidth BWP1 in time slot 1701, the mobile
communication
device 151 transmits communication 1801 in time slot 1701 in an uplink
direction
from the mobile communication device 151 to the wireless base station 131. As
shown, at time T11, this causes the energy signal 1860 to increase above the
threshold
level 1750.
As previously discussed, the mobile communication device 152 (UE2) also
monitors the energy present in the bandwidth BWP1. Because the time duration
TD2-
1 is greater than time duration TD1-1, between time T11 and T12, the mobile
communication device 152 detects that the energy associated with the bandwidth
BWP1 is greater than the threshold level 1750. The detection of the energy
above the
threshold level 1750 notifies the mobile communication device 152 that another
mobile communication device in the set of mobile communication devices 150
sharing use of the allocated time slots associated with bandwidth BWP1 has
acquired
intro uses the time slot 1701. In such an instance, the mobile communication
device
152 does not transmit wireless communications in an uplink direction to the
wireless
base station 131 in time slot 1701 between time T11 and time T2.
However, at time T2, the mobile communication device 151 discontinues
using the wireless bandwidth BWP1.
The mobile communication device 152 (UE2) and potentially one or more
other mobile communication devices monitor the energy present in the bandwidth
BWP1 after time T2 to acquire use of the wireless bandwidth BWP1.
In this example embodiment, the mobile communication device 152 (UE2)
implements a second listen before talk function LBT2 (such as instead of the
first
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listen before talk function LBT1) to acquire the time slot 1702. Because the
mobile
communication device 151 discontinues use of the bandwidth BWP1 to communicate
with the wireless base station 131 at time T2, the mobile communication device
152
detects that the energy level of wireless communications in bandwidth BWP1 is
less
than the threshold level 1750 for the entire time duration TD2-2. The
detection of the
energy below the threshold level 1750 notifies the mobile communication device
152
that no other mobile communication device in the set of mobile communication
devices 150 is using the bandwidth BWP1. In such an instance, the mobile
communication device 152 acquires the time slot 1701 and transmits wireless
communications 1802 in an uplink direction to the wireless base station 131 in
time
slot 1702 between time T21 and time T3.
As further shown, the mobile communication device 152 also wirelessly
transmits communications 1803 in time slot 1703 to the wireless base station
131. In
one embodiment, the mobile communication device 152 does not need to perform
another listen before talk function after acquiring the wireless bandwidth
BWP1 (in
time slot 1702) after time T2.
Alternatively, note that each of the mobile communication device in the set
150 may need to implement a listen before talk function at the beginning of
each time
slot to acquire a respective time slot prior to use.
Thus, during operation, the communication management hardware of mobile
communication devices receives notification of a wireless channel BWP1
scheduled
for shared use amongst multiple mobile communication devices. As previously
discussed, a first mobile communication device 151 implements a first listen
before
talk function LBT1 to acquire use of a portion (such as time slot 1701) of the
shared
wireless channel. For example, via implementation of a first listen before
talk
function, the first mobile communication device 151 acquires use of time slot
1701 of
the wireless channel BWP1 scheduled for shared use. The connection management
resource associated with the second mobile communication device 152 fails to
acquire
use of the first time slot 1701 and detects use of the first time slot of the
wireless
channel by the first mobile communication device 151.
In one embodiment, via the mobile communication device 152 implementing
the first listen before talk function LBT1 detects that the first time slot
1701 is used by
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a member of the mobile communication devices (set of mobile communication
devices 150) allocated use of the wireless channel BWP1.
The second mobile communication device 152 further monitors, via a second
listen before talk function LBT2, for non-use of the second time slot 1702 of
the
wireless channel BWP1 to acquire use of the second time slot 1702 amongst the
multiple mobile communication devices. Thus, since the first mobile
communication
device 151 does not use the second time slot 1702 to communicate in the uplink
to the
wireless base station 131, the second mobile communication device 152 is able
to use
the second time slot 1702 to communicate over a respective wireless
communication
link with the wireless base station 131.
In accordance with further example embodiments, the second listen before talk
function (such as LBT2) implements a shorter listen before talk interval (time
duration TD2-2) than the first listen before talk function LBT1 (such as time
duration
TD2-1). Thus, as previously discussed, the mobile communication device 151
acquires the first time slot 1701 via the first listen before talk function
LBT1. The
second listen before talk function LBT2 is a more lenient (such as shorter
listen before
talk duration, higher threshold level 1750, etc.) listen before talk protocol
than the
first listen before talk function.
In one embodiment, via the respective communication management hardware
associated with the mobile communication devices, the mobile communication
device
152 implements the second listen before talk function in response to detecting
that a
magnitude of wireless energy associated with use of the first time slot 1701
by the
first mobile communication device 151 is above a wireless energy threshold
level
1750.
In further example embodiments, the communication management hardware
associated with the mobile communication device 152 implements the first
listen
before talk function in the first time slot 1701 prior to implementing the
second listen
before talk function in the second time slot 1702. However, as previously
discussed,
the first mobile communication device 151 implemented a shorter listen before
talk
interval time (such as time duration TD1-1) than the second mobile
communication
device 152 (time duration TD2-1) in the first time slot 1702 and therefore
acquired the
first time slot 1701 of the shared wireless channel (BWP1) before the second
mobile
communication device 152 was able to acquire the first time slot 170E
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In yet further example embodiments, a gap between the first time slot 1701
and the second time slot 1702 is below a predetermined time threshold value.
In such
an instance, because the gap is below a predetermined time threshold value,
the
second mobile communication device 152 can acquire the second time slot 1702
via
implementation of the second listen before talk function LBT2 instead of the
first
listen before talk function LBT1.
In still further embodiments, the first mobile communication device 151
acquires use of the first time slot 1701 via implementation of the first
listen before
talk function LBT1. In one embodiment, acquisition of the first time slot 1701
results
in acquisition of the second time slot 1702 as well. However, as previously
discussed,
if the second mobile communication device 152 detects that the second time
slot 1701
acquired by the first mobile communication device 151 is not used by the first
mobile
communication device 151 or other mobile communication device, in a manner as
previously discussed, the second mobile communication device 152 acquires use
of
the second time slot 1702 to communicate with the wireless base station 131.
FIG. 19 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition of available time slots
in the allocated wireless channel resources amongst multiple mobile
communication
devices according to embodiments herein.
As previously discussed, the communication management resource 1741
allocates use of the wireless channel BWP1 by the multiple mobile
communication
devices 151, 152, 153, etc., via communications 1720.
Assume in this example embodiment that at least the mobile communication
device 151 and 152 desires to acquire use of the first time slot 1701 (such as
first
configured grant resource) associated with bandwidth BWP1 to communicate in an
uplink direction to the wireless base station 131.
In this example embodiment, each of the mobile communication devices
initially implements a first listen before talk function LBT1 to attempt to
acquire the
first time slot and communicate in an uplink direction to the wireless base
station 131.
More specifically, at time Ti, the first mobile communication device 151
(UE1) implements LBT1 and time duration TD1-1 to acquire use of the time slot
1701; at time Ti, the second mobile communication device 152 (UE2) implements
LBT1 and time duration TD2-1 to acquire use of the time slot 1701; and so on_
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In one embodiment, the time duration used by the respective mobile
communication device is a random time duration value generated by each
respective
listen before talk function. In this example embodiment, the time duration TD1-
1 is a
shorter duration with respect to the time duration TD2-1.
Each of the mobile communication devices 151, 152, etc., attempting to
acquire the time slot 1701 monitors for presence of wireless energy in the
bandwidth
BWP1 prior to acquisition. In this example embodiment, assume that the energy
signal 1860 represents a respective energy level associated with the bandwidth
BWP1
in the network environment 100 over time. Each of the mobile communication
devices 151, 152, 153, etc., monitors the wireless energy with respective
antenna
hardware of the mobile communication device. The amount of energy in the
bandwidth BWP1 detected by each of the mobile communication devices is
approximately equal to energy signal 1860, more or less, as the actual energy
at each
location of the mobile communication devices may vary.
Because the time duration TD1-1 is less than time duration TD2-1, the mobile
communication device 151 detects that the detected energy level of wireless
energy in
the bandwidth BWP1 is less than the energy threshold level 1750 for an
appropriate
amount of time to acquire use of the first time slot of the allocated
bandwidth BWP1.
At around time T11, because the first mobile communication device 151 (UE1)
acquires the wireless bandwidth BWP1 in time slot 1701, the mobile
communication
device 151 transmits communication 1801 in time slot 1701 in an uplink
direction
from the mobile communication device 151 to the wireless base station 131. As
shown, at time T11, the transmission of wireless communications 1801 from
mobile
communication device 151 causes the energy signal 1860 to increase above the
threshold level 1750.
As previously discussed, the mobile communication device 152 (UE2) also
monitors the energy present in the bandwidth BWP1. Because the time duration
TD2-
1 is greater than time duration TD 1-1, at or around time T11 to T12, the
mobile
communication device 152 detects that the energy associated with the bandwidth
BWP1 is greater than the threshold level 1750. The detection of the energy
above the
threshold level 1750 notifies the mobile communication device 152 that another
mobile communication device (mobile communication device 151 in this example)
in
the set of mobile communication devices 150 has acquired use and is using of
the
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time slot 1701. In such an instance, the mobile communication device 152 does
not
transmit wireless communications in an uplink direction to the wireless base
station
131 in time slot 1701 between time T11 and time T2 because the time slot is
not
available.
In this example embodiment, at time T2, the mobile communication device
151 continues using the wireless bandwidth BWP1 in time slot 1702.
The mobile communication device 152 (UE2) and potentially one or more
other mobile communication devices monitor the energy present in the bandwidth
BWP1 at or around time T2 to acquire use of the wireless bandwidth BWP1. In
this
example embodiment, the mobile communication device 152 (UE2) implements a
second listen before talk function LBT2 to acquire the time slot 1702.
Because the mobile communication device 151 continues use of the bandwidth
BWP1 to communicate with the wireless base station 131 at time T2 and in time
slot
1702, the mobile communication device 152 detects that the energy level of
wireless
communications in bandwidth BWP1 is greater than the threshold level 1750
during
the time duration TD2-2. The detection of the energy above the threshold level
1750
by the mobile communication device 152 notifies the mobile communication
device
152 that another mobile communication device in the set of mobile
communication
devices 150 is using the bandwidth BWP1. In such an instance, the mobile
communication device 152 does not acquire the bandwidth BWP1 and does not
transmit wireless communications in an uplink direction to the wireless base
station
131 in time slot 1702 between time T21 and time T3.
As further shown, the mobile communication device 151 also wirelessly
transmits communications 1802 in time slot 1702 to the wireless base station
131. In
one embodiment, the mobile communication device 151 does not need to perform
another listen before talk function after acquiring the wireless bandwidth
BWP1 after
time T2 because the mobile communication device 151 acquired the bandwidth
BWP1 via the listen before talk function at or around time Ti.
The mobile communication device 152 (UE2) and potentially one or more
other mobile communication devices monitor the energy present in the bandwidth
BWP1 after time T3. In this example embodiment, the mobile communication
device
152 (UE2) implements a second listen before talk function LBT2 to acquire the
time
slot 1703 if available. Because the mobile communication device 151
discontinues
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use of the bandwidth BWP1 to communicate with the wireless base station 131 at
time T3, the mobile communication device 152 detects that the energy level of
wireless communications in bandwidth BWP1 is less than the threshold level
1750 for
the entire time duration TD2-3.
The time duration for each listen before talk function LBT2 is a fixed or
random value.
The detection of the energy below the threshold level 1750 by the mobile
communication device 152 notifies the mobile communication device 152 that no
other mobile communication device in the set of mobile communication devices
in the
set 150 is using the bandwidth BWP1. In such an instance, the mobile
communication device 152 transmits wireless communications 1803 in an uplink
direction to the wireless base station 131 in time slot 1703 between time T31
and time
T4.
As further shown, the mobile communication device 152 also wirelessly
transmits communications 1803 in time slot 1703 to the wireless base station
131.
FIG. 20 is an example diagram illustrating shared use of wireless channel
resources (such as one Of more timeslots) by a set of mobile communication
devices
according to embodiments herein.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the wireless channel BWP1
scheduled for use by the multiple mobile communication devices includes a
first set
of timeslots 2010-1, 2010-2, 2010-3, etc., interleaved amongst a second set of
timeslots 2010-A, 2010-B, 2010-C, etc.
In this example embodiment, a first set of mobile communication devices 150
including mobile communication device 151, mobile communication device 152,
mobile communication device 153, etc., is assigned shared use of the first set
of
timeslots 2010-1, 2010-2, 2010-3, etc. The second set of timeslots is
scheduled for
shared use by a second set of mobile communication devices 160 including
mobile
communication device 161, 162, etc.
Wireless communications 2031 from the wireless base station 131 notify each
member in the first set of mobile communication devices that timeslots 2010-1,
2010-
2, 2010-3, etc., are available to the first mobile communication devices 151,
152, 153,
etc. Wireless communications 2032 from the wireless base station 131 notify
each
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member in the second set of mobile communication devices that timeslots 2010-
A,
2010-B, 2010-C, etc., are available to the second mobile communication devices
161,
162, etc.
FIG. 21 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition of available time slots
in the allocated wireless channel resources amongst multiple mobile
communication
devices according to embodiments herein.
In this embodiment, in a similar manner as previously discussed, each of the
mobile communication devices competes for use of the available wireless time
slots in
the allocated wireless bandwidth BWP1. However, in this example embodiment,
the
members of the first set of mobile communication devices 151, 152, 153, etc.,
compete for use of time slots 2010; the members of the second set of mobile
communication devices 161, 162, etc., compete for use of time slots 2020.
More specifically, in a similar manner as previously discussed, mobile
communication device 151 acquires use of time slot 2020-1 before mobile
communication device 152. Mobile communication device 151 transmits
communications 2101 in time slot 2020-1 to the wireless base station 131 over
a
respective wireless communication link.
Mobile communication device 152 acquires use of time slot 2020-2 before any
other mobile communication device. Mobile communication device 152 transmits
communications 2102 in time slot 2020-2 to the wireless base station 131 over
a
respective wireless communication link.
Mobile communication device 152 continues to use time slot 2020-3 to
communicate data via communications 2103 in an uplink direction from the
mobile
communication device 152 to the wireless base station 131.
FIG. 22 is an example diagram illustrating acquisition of available time slots
in the allocated wireless channel resources amongst multiple mobile
communication
devices according to embodiments herein.
In this embodiment, in a similar manner as previously discussed, each of the
mobile communication devices competes for use of the available wireless time
slots in
the allocated wireless bandwidth BWP1. However, in this example embodiment,
the
members of the first set of mobile communication devices 151, 152, 153, etc.,
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compete for use of time slots 2020-1, 2020-2, 2020-3, etc.; the members of the
second
set of mobile communication devices 161, 162, etc., compete for use of time
slots
2020-A, 2020-B, 2020-C, etc.
More specifically, in a similar manner as previously discussed, mobile
communication device 151 acquires use of time slot 2020-1 before mobile
communication device 152. Mobile communication device 151 transmits
communications 2101 in time slot 2020-1 to the wireless base station 131 over
a
respective wireless communication link.
Mobile communication device 151 continues to use time slot 2020-2. Mobile
communication device 151 transmits communications 2102 in time slot 2020-2 to
the
wireless base station 131 over a respective wireless communication link.
Mobile
communication device 152 detects use of the wireless channel via listen before
talk
LBT2 at the beginning of time slot 2020-2.
Mobile communication device 151 continues to use time slot 2020-2 to
communicate data in an uplink direction from the mobile communication device
151
to the wireless base station 131. In such an instance, the mobile
communication
device 152 is unable to acquire and use the time slot 2020-2.
Via implementation of listen before talk function LBT2, the mobile
communication device 152 acquires use of time slot 2020-3 before any other
mobile
communication device 152 and transmits communications 2103 in time slot 2020-3
to
the wireless base station 131 over a respective wireless communication link.
FIG. 23 is an example block diagram of a computer system for implementing
any of the operations as previously discussed according to embodiments herein.
Any of the resources (such as communication manager 1741, listen before talk
functions 1761, 1762, 1763, wireless base station 131, mobile communication
device
151, mobile communication device 152, mobile communication device 161,
communication management resources 1771, 1772, 1773, etc.) as discussed herein
can be configured to include computer processor hardware and/or corresponding
executable instructions to carry out the different operations as discussed
herein.
As shown, computer system 2350 of the present example includes
interconnect 2311 coupling computer readable storage media 2312 such as a non-
transitory type of media (which can be any suitable type of hardware storage
medium
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in which digital information can be stored and or retrieved), a processor 2313
(computer processor hardware), I/0 interface 2314, and a communications
interface
2317.
I/0 interface(s) 2314 supports connectivity to repository 2380 and input
resource 2392.
Computer readable storage medium 2312 can be any hardware storage device
such as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In one
embodiment, the
computer readable storage medium 2312 stores instructions and/or data.
As shown, computer readable storage media 2312 can be encoded with
communication manager application 1740-1 (e.g., including instructions) in a
respective wireless station (such as each of the mobile communication devices
151,
152, 153, etc., 161, 162, etc.) to carry out any of the operations as
discussed herein.
During operation of one embodiment, processor 2313 accesses computer
readable storage media 2312 via the use of interconnect 2311 in order to
launch. run,
execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions in communication
manager
application 1740-1 stored on computer readable storage medium 2312. Execution
of
the communication manager application 1140-1 produces communication manager
process 1740-2 to carry out any of the operations and/or processes as
discussed
herein.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 2350 can
include other processes and/or software and hardware components, such as an
operating system that controls allocation and use of hardware resources to
execute
communication manager application 1740-1.
In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system may
reside in any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a
mobile
computer, a personal computer system, a wireless device, a wireless access
point, a
base station, phone device, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, netbook
computer,
mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer,
application server, storage device, a consumer electronics device such as a
camera,
camcorder, set top box, mobile device, video game console, handheld video game
device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, set-top box,
content
management device, handheld remote control device, any type of computing or
electronic device, etc. The computer system 2350 may reside at any location or
can
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be included in any suitable resource in any network environment to implement
functionality as discussed herein.
Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussed via
the flowchart in FIG. 24. Note that the steps in the flowcharts below can be
executed
in any suitable order.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart 2400 illustrating an example method according to
embodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect to
concepts as
discussed above.
In processing operation 2410, each of the communication management
resources 1771, 1772, 1773, etc., associated with mobile communication devices
receives notification of a wireless channel (such as bandwidth BWP1) scheduled
for
shared use amongst multiple mobile communication devices in the set of mobile
communication devices 150.
In processing operation 2420, the mobile communication device 152 (UE2)
detects use of a first time slot 1701 of the wireless channel. The mobile
communication device 151 (UE1) acquires the first time slot 1701 via
implementing a
first listen before talk function (listen before talk function #1).
In processing operation 2430, via a second listen before talk function (listen
before talk function #2), the mobile communication device 152 monitors for non-
use
of a second time slot 1702 of the wireless channel to acquire use of the
second time
slot 1702 amongst the multiple mobile communication devices 151, 152, 153,
etc.
Note again that techniques herein are well suited to facilitate acquisition
and
shared use of multiple wireless channels and wireless channel resources (such
as
timeslots) in a network environment such as via multiple listen before talk
functions.
However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are not limited to use in
such
applications and that the techniques discussed herein are well suited for
other
applications as well.
Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific details have been
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter.
However, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may
be
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practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods,
apparatuses,
systems, etc., that would be known by one of ordinary skill have not been
described in
detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter_ Some portions of the
detailed
description have been presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic
representations of
operations on data bits or binary digital signals stored within a computing
system
memory, such as a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions or
representations are examples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in
the data
processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the
art. An
algorithm as described herein, and generally, is considered to be a self-
consistent
sequence of operations or similar processing leading to a desired result. In
this
context, operations or processing involve physical manipulation of physical
quantities. Typically, although not necessarily, such quantities may take the
form of
electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
compared or otherwise manipulated. It has been convenient at times,
principally for
reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values,
elements,
symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals or the like. It should be
understood,
however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with
appropriate
physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless specifically
stated
otherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that
throughout
this specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing,''
"computing,"
"calculating," "determining" or the like refer to actions or processes of a
computing
platform, such as a computer or a similar electronic computing device, that
manipulates or transforms data represented as physical electronic or magnetic
quantities within memories, registers, or other information storage devices,
transmission devices, or display devices of the computing platform.
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with
references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in
the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by
the
appended claims. Such variations are intended to be covered by the scope of
this
present application. As such, the foregoing description of embodiments of the
present
application is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations to the
invention are
presented in the following claims_
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