Coexistence between spectrum sharing systems and asynchronous channel access systems

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a device may select a plurality of channel access intervals during which the device is associated with a priority condition relative to another device for communications by the device, wherein each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity; and may transmit, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the device. Numerous other aspects are provided.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication, and more particularly to techniques and apparatuses for coexistence between spectrum sharing (e.g., New Radio spectrum sharing (NR-SS) and/or the like) systems and asynchronous channel access systems.

BACKGROUND

SUMMARY

In some aspects, a method for wireless communication, performed by a device, may include selecting a plurality of channel access intervals during which the device is associated with a priority condition relative to another device for communications by the device, wherein each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity; and transmitting, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the device.

In some aspects, a device for wireless communication may include memory and one or more processors configured to select a plurality of channel access intervals during which the device is associated with a priority condition relative to another device for communications by the device, wherein each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity; and transmit, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the device.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. The one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a device, may cause the one or more processors to select a plurality of channel access intervals during which the device is associated with a priority condition relative to another device for communications by the device, wherein each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity; and transmit, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the device.

In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include means for selecting a plurality of channel access intervals during which the apparatus is associated with a priority condition relative to another device for communications by the device, wherein each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity; and means for transmitting, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the apparatus for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the apparatus.

In some aspects, a method for wireless communication, performed by an asynchronous channel access device, may include receiving, during a first contention interval of a first channel access interval of a plurality of channel access intervals during which the asynchronous channel access device is not associated with a priority condition for communications by the asynchronous channel access device, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for a spectrum sharing device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of a subsequent channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals; and coordinating one or more communications of the asynchronous channel access device to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval.

In some aspects, an asynchronous channel access device for wireless communication may include memory and one or more processors configured to receive, during a first contention interval of a first channel access interval of a plurality of channel access intervals during which the asynchronous channel access device is not associated with a priority condition for communications by the asynchronous channel access device, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for a spectrum sharing device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of a subsequent channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals; and coordinate one or more communications of the asynchronous channel access device to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. The one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of an asynchronous channel access device, may cause the one or more processors to receive, during a first contention interval of a first channel access interval of a plurality of channel access intervals during which the asynchronous channel access device is not associated with a priority condition for communications by the asynchronous channel access device, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for a spectrum sharing device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of a subsequent channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals; and coordinate one or more communications of the asynchronous channel access device to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval.

In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include means for receiving, during a first contention interval of a first channel access interval of a plurality of channel access intervals during which the apparatus is not associated with a priority condition for communications by the apparatus, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for a spectrum sharing device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of a subsequent channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals; and means for coordinating one or more communications of the apparatus to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A synchronous channel access technology, such as a New Radio spectrum sharing (NR-SS) technology or another type of spectrum sharing technology, has certain performance benefits compared to an asynchronous channel access technology, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology (e.g., a Wi-Fi technology and/or the like), a licensed-assisted access (LAA) technology, an LTE for unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) technology, a New Radio for unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) technology, and/or the like. For example, a synchronous channel access technology may leverage intra-operator and/or inter-operator network planning, may provide better fairness than an asynchronous channel access technology, may require less signaling overhead than an asynchronous channel access technology, and/or the like. However, due to difficulties in inter-technology communication, differences in protocols, differences in channel access procedures, differences in channel contention procedures, and/or the like, designing a communication scheme that permits coexistence between synchronous channel access technologies and asynchronous channel access technologies is difficult.

Some techniques and apparatuses described herein permit coexistence between synchronous channel access technologies and asynchronous channel access technologies, such as Wi-Fi, LTE-U, NR-U, and/or the like, in a manner that is fair to devices of both types of technologies (e.g., that provides fair opportunity for devices of different technologies to gain channel access and/or communicate via a shared channel, such as a channel of unlicensed spectrum), that supports inter-technology communication, that reduces interference between such devices, and/or the like. It should be noted that the techniques and apparatuses described herein can be applied for any combination of synchronous and asynchronous channel access technologies (e.g., between devices using synchronous channel access technologies, devices using asynchronous channel access technologies, or devices using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous channel access technologies).

In some examples, access to the air interface may be scheduled, wherein a scheduling entity (e.g., a base station) allocates resources for communication among some or all devices and equipment within the scheduling entity's service area or cell. Within the present disclosure, as discussed further below, the scheduling entity may be responsible for scheduling, assigning, reconfiguring, and releasing resources for one or more subordinate entities. That is, for scheduled communication, subordinate entities utilize resources allocated by the scheduling entity.

Base stations are not the only entities that may function as a scheduling entity. That is, in some examples, a UE may function as a scheduling entity, scheduling resources for one or more subordinate entities (e.g., one or more other UEs). In this example, the UE is functioning as a scheduling entity, and other UEs utilize resources scheduled by the UE for wireless communication. A UE may function as a scheduling entity in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, and/or in a mesh network. In a mesh network example, UEs may optionally communicate directly with one another in addition to communicating with the scheduling entity.

As further shown inFIG. 1, wireless network100may include one or more NR-SS devices140. An NR-SS device140may include any type of device capable of communicating using a synchronous channel access technology (e.g., a communication scheme, protocol, standard, and/or the like), such as an NR-SS technology or another synchronous channel access technology other than NR-SS. For example, an NR-SS device140may be a base station110, a UE120, and/or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, wireless network100may include one or more asynchronous channel access (ACA) devices150. An ACA device150may include any type of device capable of communicating using an ACA technology, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology (e.g., a Wi-Fi technology and/or the like), a licensed-assisted access (LAA) technology, an LTE for unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) technology, a New Radio for unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) technology, and/or the like. For example, an ACA device150may be a base station110, a UE120, a WLAN access point (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point), and/or the like.

FIG. 2shows a block diagram of a design200of base station110and UE120, which may be one of the base stations and one of the UEs inFIG. 1. Base station110may be equipped with T antennas234athrough234t, and UE120may be equipped with R antennas252athrough252r, where in general T>1 and R>1.

Controller/processor240of base station110, controller/processor280of UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG. 2may perform one or more techniques associated with coexistence between spectrum sharing systems and asynchronous channel access systems, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, controller/processor240of base station110, controller/processor280of UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG. 2may perform or direct operations of, for example, process600ofFIG. 6, process700ofFIG. 7, and/or other processes as described herein. Memories242and282may store data and program codes for base station110and UE120, respectively. A scheduler246may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink. In some aspects, an NR-SS device140and/or an ACA device150may include one or more components described in connection withFIG. 2and/or similar components. For example, NR-SS device140and/or ACA device150may include a memory, one or more processors, one or more schedulers, one or more transmission components, one or more reception components, one or more antennas, and/or the like, the same as or similar to those described in connection withFIG. 2.

The stored program codes, when executed by controller/processor240, controller/processor280and/or other processor(s) and/or modules of base station110, UE120, NR-SS device140, and/or ACA device150, may cause the base station110, UE120, NR-SS device140, and/or ACA device150to perform operations described with respect to process600ofFIG. 6, process700ofFIG. 7, and/or other processes as described herein. A scheduler246may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink.

In some aspects, an apparatus or device (e.g., base station110, UE120, NR-SS device140, and/or the like) may include means for selecting a plurality of channel access intervals during which the device is associated with a priority condition relative to another device for communications by the device, wherein each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity; means for transmitting, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the apparatus for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the apparatus; means for attempting to access a channel, during a low priority interval, after a maximum contention window time, associated with asynchronous channel access during the low priority interval, has elapsed; means for attempting to access a channel, during the low priority interval, using a higher clear channel assessment deferral value than an asynchronous channel access device; and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or more components of base station110, UE120, NR-SS device140, and/or the like described in connection withFIG. 2.

Additionally, or alternatively, an apparatus or device (e.g., base station110, UE120, ACA device150, and/or the like) may include means for receiving, during a first contention interval of a first channel access interval of a plurality of channel access intervals during which the asynchronous channel access device is not associated with a priority condition for communications by the asynchronous channel access device, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for a spectrum sharing device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of a subsequent channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals; means for coordinating one or more communications of the apparatus to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval; and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or more components of base station110, UE120, ACA device150, and/or the like described in connection withFIG. 2.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example300of channel access intervals of a New Radio spectrum sharing (NR-SS) system, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 3, a channel access interval305for a synchronous channel access technology, such as NR-SS or a similar technology, may include a contention interval310, a coordinated rate control (CRC) interval315, and a transmission opportunity (TxOP)320. The contention interval310may occur at the beginning of the channel access interval305, and may be used for various devices (e.g., NR-SS devices, such as base stations110, UEs120, NR-SS device140, and/or the like) to contend for access to a channel. In some aspects, different operators and/or different devices of those operators may be associated with different priorities, and the priorities of those operators and/or devices may change across different channel access intervals305to provide fair access and coexistence to all operators and/or devices. When referring to a first device and a second device, a device associated with a higher priority of the first device and the second device may be referred to as being associated with a priority condition relative to the other device. For example, when the first device is associated with a higher priority than the second device, the first device is associated with a priority condition relative to the second device, and when the second device is associated with a higher priority than the first device, the second device is associated with a priority condition relative to the first device.

For example, a first device, such as a first base station110associated with a first network operator, may have higher priority than a second device, such as a second base station110associated with a second network operator, in a first channel access interval305-1. In this case, an earlier portion325-1of a first contention interval310-1of the first channel access interval305-1may be reserved for the first base station110, and a later portion330-1of the first contention interval310-1may be reserved for the second base station110. The first base station110may transmit a reservation request (RRQ) in the earlier portion325-1(e.g., with a randomly selected offset from the start of the earlier portion325-1) to reserve some or all of a first transmission opportunity320-1, of the first channel access interval305-1, for communications of the first base station110(e.g., uplink communications, downlink communications, sidelink communications, and/or the like). In some aspects, the RRQ may be intended for a UE120or a similar type of device, and the UE120may respond with a reservation response (RRS) indicating whether the UE120is available to receive communications from the first base station110in the first transmission opportunity320-1.

In a second channel access interval305-2, priorities of the operators and/or devices may change, and the second base station110may have a higher priority than the first base station110. In this case, an earlier portion325-2of a second contention interval310-2of the second channel access interval305-2may be reserved for the second base station110, and a later portion330-2of the second contention interval310-2may be reserved for the first base station110. The second base station110may transmit an RRQ in the earlier portion325-2to reserve some or all of a second transmission opportunity320-2, of the second channel access interval305-2, for communications of the second base station110. As described above, the RRQ may be intended for a UE120or a similar type of device, and the UE120may respond with an RRS indicating whether the UE120is available to receive communications from the second base station110in the second transmission opportunity320-2.

In some aspects, a lower priority device may listen for RRQs and/or RRSs from higher priority devices during an earlier portion325of a contention interval310. In some aspects, if the lower priority device detects an RRQ and/or an RRS from a higher priority device during the earlier portion325, then the lower priority device may refrain from transmitting in a corresponding transmission opportunity320. However, if the lower priority device does not detect an RRQ and/or an RRS from a higher priority device during the earlier portion325, then the lower priority device may transmit and/or receive in the corresponding transmission opportunity320, and may transmit an RRQ and/or an RRS to reserve resources of the transmission opportunity320and/or indicate an availability to receive communications in the transmission opportunity320. Although two contention interval portions325,330are shown as an example, a different number of contention interval portions may be used (e.g., for a different number of network operators, a different number of priority levels associated with NR-SS, and/or the like).

As further shown, a coordinated rate control interval315may follow a contention interval310within a channel access interval305. In the coordinated rate control interval315, all devices that have gained access to the channel for the transmission opportunity320, within the channel access interval305, may coordinate a rate at which communications of the devices are to be transmitted, so as to achieve efficient use of the channel without overloading the channel and causing excessive interference.

As indicated above,FIG. 3is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG. 3.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example400of operations relating to coexistence between New Radio spectrum sharing (NR-SS) systems and asynchronous channel access systems, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 4, an NR-SS device405may perform various operations that support coexistence between NR-SS systems and asynchronous channel access systems, such as WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) systems, LTE-U systems, NR-U systems, and/or the like. The NR-SS device405may include any type of device capable of communicating using spectrum sharing technology (e.g., using spectrum sharing protocols or procedures such as NR-SS protocols, procedures, and/or the like), such as a base station110, a UE120, NR-SS device140, and/or the like.

As shown by reference number410, the NR-SS device405may identify multiple channel access intervals305during which the NR-SS device405has high priority (e.g., is associated with a priority condition) for NR-SS communications (e.g., shown as NR-SS high priority). During a channel access interval305with high priority for NR-SS communications, communications of an asynchronous channel access technology (e.g., Wi-Fi and/or the like) may receive low priority (e.g., are not associated with the priority condition). As shown, and as described above in connection withFIG. 3, each channel access interval305may include a respective contention interval310, a respective coordinated rate control interval315, and/or a respective transmission opportunity320.

As further shown, the multiple channel access intervals305may be noncontiguous in time. In some aspects, each consecutive pair of channel access intervals305(e.g., occurring without any intervening channel access intervals305with high priority for NR-SS) may be separated by a low priority interval415during which the NR-SS device405has low priority for NR-SS communications (e.g., and during which communications of an asynchronous channel access technology receive high priority).

As shown by reference number420, the NR-SS device405may transmit a signal425during a contention interval310of a channel access interval305. For example, the NR-SS device405may transmit the signal425during a first contention interval310-1of a first channel access interval305-1associated with high priority for NR-SS communications. The signal425may include, for example, an RRQ signal, an RRS signal, a request-to-send (RTS) signal, a clear-to-send (CTS) signal, a clear-to-send-to-self (CTS2S) signal, and/or the like. In some aspects, the signal425may include characteristics and/or fields of one or more of the above types of signals. For example, the signal425may include a modified RRQ (mRRQ) signal, a modified RRS (mRRS) signal, a modified RTS (mRTS) signal, a modified CTS (mCTS) signal, a modified CTS2S (mCTS2S) signal, and/or the like.

Additionally, or alternatively, the signal425may be configured to be decodable by devices that use a synchronous channel access technology (e.g., an NR-SS technology and/or the like) to communicate and devices that use an asynchronous channel access technology (e.g., a WLAN technology, an LAA technology, an LTE-U technology, an NR-U technology, and/or the like) to communicate. For example, the signal425may be configured to include one or more fields of an asynchronous channel contention signal (e.g., an RTS signal, a CTS signal, a CTS2S signal, and/or the like), all fields of an asynchronous channel contention signal, a same arrangement of fields as an asynchronous channel contention signal, and/or the like. In some aspects, additional information, such as channel occupancy information and/or information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals305(e.g., as described below) may be appended to the asynchronous channel contention signal (e.g., in one or more additional fields).

As shown by reference number430, the signal425may include channel occupancy information, associated with the NR-SS device405, for a first transmission opportunity320-1of the first channel access interval305-1. In some aspects, a signal425transmitted in a contention interval310of a specific channel access interval305may include channel occupancy information for a transmission opportunity320of that specific channel access interval305(e.g., a transmission opportunity320immediately subsequent to the contention interval310, with no intervening transmission opportunities320).

The channel occupancy information may include, for example, an indication of whether the NR-SS device405is requesting channel access during a transmission opportunity320, a quantity of resources requested by the NR-SS device405during the transmission opportunity320, an amount of time that the NR-SS device405requests to transmit during the transmission opportunity320, and/or the like. As described in more detail below in connection withFIG. 5, an asynchronous channel access device (and/or other NR-SS devices405) may receive the channel occupancy information for the channel access interval305, and may refrain from interfering with communications of the NR-SS device405during the transmission opportunity320of the channel access interval305.

In some aspects, the signal425may identify a coordinated rate control interval315of a channel access interval305in which the signal425is transmitted. For example, if the signal425is transmitted in the first contention interval310-1, then the signal425may identify a location of a first coordinated rate control interval315-1. In this way, an asynchronous channel access device that receives the signal425may refrain from transmitting during the coordinated rate control interval315, thereby reducing interference. In some aspects, the channel occupancy information may indicate that the NR-SS device405is not requesting channel access during a transmission opportunity320. However, other NR-SS devices405may request channel access during the transmission opportunity320, and may perform coordinated rate control during the coordinated rate control interval315. By including the location of the coordinated rate control interval315in the signal425, the asynchronous channel access device may be notified of the location, and may avoid interfering with such coordinated rate control operations.

As shown by reference number435, the signal425may include information that identifies at least a portion of (e.g., some of or all of) a subsequent channel access interval305for high priority NR-SS communications. For example, a signal425transmitted during a first contention interval310-1of a first channel access interval305-1may include information that identifies a location (e.g., in time) of some or all of a second channel access interval305-2. The second channel access interval305-2may occur after (e.g., later in time than) the first channel access interval305-1. As described in more detail below in connection withFIG. 5, an asynchronous channel access device may receive the information that identifies some or all of a subsequent channel access interval305, and may refrain from interfering with a contention interval310and/or one or more other portions of the subsequent channel access interval305.

In some aspects, the signal425may indicate only a single subsequent channel access interval305(e.g., subsequent to the channel access interval305in which the signal425is transmitted). In this case, the single subsequent channel access interval305may be a next consecutive channel access interval305that occurs closest in time subsequent to a channel access interval305in which the signal425is transmitted (e.g., with no intervening channel access intervals305for high priority NR-SS communications). For example, if the NR-SS device405transmits the signal425in the first contention interval310-1of the first channel access interval305-1, then the signal425may identify all or a portion of only the second channel access interval305-2, without identifying all or a portion of any other channel access intervals (e.g., that occur after the second channel access interval305-2). In this way, a size of the signal425and corresponding overhead may be reduced.

In some aspects, the signal425may identify multiple subsequent channel access intervals305(or portions of multiple subsequent channel access intervals305). For example, the signal425may indicate locations (e.g., in time) of the multiple channel access intervals305. Additionally, or alternatively, the multiple channel access intervals305may occur with a specific periodicity and/or may have a specific size (e.g., a length of time occupied by a channel access interval305), and the specific periodicity and/or the specific size may be indicated in the signal425to identify the multiple subsequent channel access intervals305.

In some aspects, the signal425may identify an entire location of a subsequent channel access interval305(e.g., all of the time and/or frequency resources of the subsequent channel access interval305). In some aspects, the entire location may include the subsequent contention interval310, the subsequent coordinated rate control interval315, and the subsequent transmission opportunity320included in the subsequent channel access interval305. In this way, an asynchronous channel access device that receives the signal425may operate with finer granularity (e.g., by avoiding particular portions of the subsequent channel access interval305), which may lead to more efficient use of the channel.

Alternatively, the signal425may identify one or more portions of the subsequent channel access interval305. A portion may include, for example, a contention interval310, a coordinated rate control interval315, or a transmission opportunity320. For example, the signal425may identify only a location of a subsequent contention interval310of the subsequent channel access interval305(e.g., without identifying a location of the subsequent coordinated rate control interval315and the subsequent transmission opportunity320). In this way, an asynchronous channel access device that receives the signal425may refrain from transmitting during the subsequent contention interval310, which may reduce interference, and/or may listen for subsequent signals425during the subsequent contention interval310.

As shown by reference number440, a low priority interval415, during which NR-SS communications have low priority and communications of an asynchronous channel access technology have high priority, may include a contention window. In some aspects, the NR-SS device405may be configured to refrain from attempting to access the channel during the contention window (e.g., in a similar way that an asynchronous channel access device may be configured to refrain from attempting to access the channel during the contention interval310).

In some aspects, the contention window may have a variable size, ranging from a minimum contention window time (CWmin) to a maximum contention window time (CWmax). In this case, the NR-SS device405may be configured to refrain from attempting to access the channel before the maximum contention window time has elapsed.

As shown by reference number445, in some aspects, the NR-SS device405may attempt to access the channel, during the low priority interval415, after the maximum contention window time has elapsed. For example, the NR-SS device405may listen for asynchronous channel contention signals (e.g., RTS, CTS, CTS2S, and/or the like), and may selectively access the channel after the contention window based at least in part on listening for the asynchronous channel contention signals. For example, the NR-SS device405may access the channel if the channel is clear, and may refrain from accessing the channel if the channel is not clear.

Additionally, or alternatively, the NR-SS device405may attempt to access the channel, during the low priority interval415, using a higher clear channel assessment (CCA) deferral value than an asynchronous channel access device. The CCA deferral value may define a length of time that a device is to wait to perform a subsequent CCA after a prior CCA fails. A higher CCA deferral value may indicate that the device is required to wait for a longer time than a lower CCA deferral value. Thus, by configuring the NR-SS device405with a higher CCA than an asynchronous channel access device and/or by configuring the NR-SS device405to refrain from transmitting during the contention window, the low priority interval415may be made low priority for NR-SS communications, and may be made high priority for communications of an asynchronous channel access device. However, the NR-SS device405may opportunistically communicate during the low priority interval415using a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure to defer to asynchronous channel access devices.

As indicated above,FIG. 4is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG. 4. Furthermore, while the operations inFIG. 4are described as being performed by a synchronous channel access device (such as an NR-SS device405) and an asynchronous channel access device, the operations described inFIG. 4may be performed by any combination of synchronous and asynchronous channel access devices.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating another example500of operations relating to coexistence between New Radio spectrum sharing (NR-SS) systems and asynchronous channel access systems, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 5, an asynchronous channel access (ACA) device505may perform various operations that support coexistence between NR-SS systems and asynchronous channel access systems, such as WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) systems, LTE-U systems, NR-U systems, and/or the like. The ACA device505may include any type of device capable of communicating using an asynchronous channel access technology (e.g., using protocols, procedures, and/or the like of WLAN, Wi-Fi, LAA, LTE-U, NR-U, and/or the like), such as a base station110, a UE120, an ACA device150, a WLAN access point (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point), and/or the like.

As shown by reference number510, the ACA device505may receive a signal425from an NR-SS device405, as described above in connection withFIG. 4. As shown, the signal425may be received during a first contention interval310-1of a first channel access interval305-1of multiple channel access intervals305. During the channel access intervals305, the ACA device505may have low priority for asynchronous channel access communications (and the NR-SS device405may have high priority for NR-SS communications), as described above in connection withFIG. 4. As further described above in connection withFIG. 4, a pair of consecutive channel access intervals305may be separated by a low priority interval415during which the NR-SS device405has low priority for NR-SS communications, and during which the ACA device505has high priority for asynchronous channel access communications.

As described above in connection withFIG. 4, the signal425may include channel occupancy information for the NR-SS device405for a first transmission opportunity320-1of the first channel access interval305-1. Additionally, or alternatively, the signal425may include information that identifies at least a portion (e.g., some or all) of a subsequent channel access interval305-2of the multiple channel access intervals305. Although the signal425is shown as an RRQ signal, the signal425may be one or more other signals as described above in connection withFIG. 4. For example, the signal425may be configured to be decodable by one or more NR-SS devices405that use an NR-SS technology to communicate, and one or more ACA devices505that use an asynchronous channel access technology to communicate.

In some aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the subsequent channel access interval305-2may identify a starting location (e.g., in time) of the subsequent channel access interval305-2, an ending location (e.g., in time) of the subsequent channel access interval305-2, a starting location of a subsequent contention interval310-2included in the subsequent channel access interval305-2, an ending location of the subsequent contention interval310-2a starting location of a subsequent coordinated rate control (CRC) interval315-2included in the subsequent channel access interval305-2, an ending location of the subsequent CRC interval315-2, a starting location of a subsequent transmission opportunity320-2included in the subsequent channel access interval305-2, an ending location of the subsequent transmission opportunity320-2, and/or the like. In this way, the ACA device505may refrain from transmitting in one or more of these portions of the subsequent channel access interval305-2.

As shown by reference number515, the ACA device505may coordinate (e.g., configure) one or more communications (e.g., ACA communications, such as WLAN communications, Wi-Fi communications, LAA communications, LTE-U communications, NR-U communications, and/or the like) of the ACA device505to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval305-2. Additionally, or alternatively, the ACA device505may coordinate one or more communications of the ACA device505to end prior to a start of the subsequent contention interval310-2. For example, as shown by reference number520, regardless of when the ACA device505starts transmitting in the first channel access interval305-1and/or a low priority interval415between the first channel access interval305-1and the subsequent channel access interval305-2, the ACA device505may configure a transmission to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval305-2. Although a single subsequent channel access interval305is shown, in some aspects, the signal425may identify multiple subsequent channel access intervals305, and the ACA device505may configure transmissions to end prior to respective starts of each subsequent channel access interval305.

In some aspects, the signal425may identify the subsequent contention interval310-2, such as by identifying a starting location and an ending location (e.g., in time) of the subsequent contention interval310-2. In some aspects, the ACA device505may coordinate (e.g., configure) one or more communications of the ACA device505to avoid the subsequent contention interval310-2. For example, the ACA device505may refrain from transmitting during the subsequent contention interval310-2. Similarly, the ACA device505may coordinate one or more communications of the ACA device505to avoid a first contention interval310-1in which the signal425is received. In this way, the ACA device505may avoid interfering with contention for access to the channel by one or more NR-SS devices405.

In some aspects, the signal425may identify the subsequent CRC interval315-2, such as by identifying a starting location and an ending location (e.g., in time) of the subsequent CRC interval315-2. In some aspects, the ACA device505may coordinate (e.g., configure) one or more communications of the ACA device505to avoid the subsequent CRC interval315-2. For example, the ACA device505may refrain from transmitting during the subsequent CRC interval315-2. Similarly, the ACA device505may coordinate one or more communications of the ACA device505to avoid a first CRC interval315-1of a first channel access interval305-1in which the signal425is received. In this way, the ACA device505may avoid interfering with coordinated rate control operations performed by one or more NR-SS devices405that have gained access to the channel during a channel access interval305.

In some aspects, the signal425may identify the subsequent transmission opportunity320-2, such as by identifying a starting location and an ending location (e.g., in time) of the subsequent transmission opportunity320-2. In some aspects, the ACA device505may coordinate (e.g., configure) one or more communications of the ACA device505to avoid collision with one or more NR-SS communications in the subsequent transmission opportunity320-2. For example, the ACA device505may perform a listen-before-talk procedure during the subsequent contention interval310-2, may determine whether the channel is available or busy based at least in part on channel occupancy information (or lack thereof) communicated during the subsequent contention interval310-2(e.g., in a subsequent signal425), and may selectively communicate during the subsequent transmission opportunity320-2based at least in part on the channel occupancy information.

For example, if the channel occupancy information indicates that the channel is not available, then the ACA device505may refrain from transmitting during the subsequent transmission opportunity320-2. However, if the channel occupancy information indicates that the channel is available, then the ACA device505may opportunistically communicate during the subsequent transmission opportunity320-2. Similarly, the ACA device505may coordinate one or more communications of the ACA device505to avoid collision with NR-SS communications in the first transmission opportunity320-1of a first channel access interval305-1in which the signal425is received. For example, the signal425may include channel occupancy information for the first transmission opportunity320-1, and the ACA device505may use the channel occupancy information to determine whether to communicate during the first transmission opportunity320-1. In this way, the ACA device505may avoid interfering with NR-SS communications during channel access intervals305in which the NR-SS communications have high priority.

In some aspects, the ACA device505may configure a contention window for ACA communications based at least in part on information indicated in the signal425. For example, the ACA device505may configure the contention window to occur immediately after the contention interval310, immediately after the CRC interval315, immediately after the transmission opportunity320, during the low priority interval415, and/or the like. In this way, the ACA device505may reduce interference with NR-SS communications during the channel access interval305in which NR-SS communications receive high priority.

As shown by reference number525, in some aspects, the ACA device505may configure communications to avoid a contention interval (CI)310and a CRC interval315, but may communicate during a transmission opportunity320if channel occupancy information, transmitted in the contention interval310, indicates that the channel is clear during the transmission opportunity320. In this way, the ACA device505may respect the priority of NR-SS communications during the channel access interval305, may avoid interfering with contention procedures and CRC procedures of NR-SS, and may opportunistically transmit or receive ACA communications during the transmission opportunity320if the channel is available during the transmission opportunity320of the channel access interval305.

As shown by reference number530, in some aspects, the ACA device505may configure communications to avoid a contention interval (CI)310, a CRC interval315, and a transmission opportunity320if channel occupancy information, transmitted in the contention interval310, indicates that the channel is not clear during the transmission opportunity320. In this way, the ACA device505may respect the priority of NR-SS communications during the channel access interval305, may avoid interfering with contention procedures and CRC procedures of NR-SS, may avoid collisions with NR-SS communications transmitted in the transmission opportunity320, and may transmit or receive ACA communications during the low priority interval415if the channel is not available during the transmission opportunity320of the channel access interval305.

As indicated above,FIG. 5is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG. 5.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an example process600performed, for example, by a device, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process600is an example where a device (e.g., base station110, UE120, NR-SS device140, NR-SS device405, and/or the like) performs operations associated with coexistence between synchronous and/or asynchronous channel access systems.

As shown inFIG. 6, in some aspects, process600may include selecting a plurality of channel access intervals during which the device is associated with a priority condition relative to another device for communications by the device, wherein each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity (block610). For example, the device (e.g., using controller/processor240, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may select a plurality of channel access intervals during which the device is associated with a priority condition relative to another device (e.g., has high priority) for communications by the device (e.g., NR-SS communications and/or the like) as described above in connection withFIG. 4. In some aspects, each of the plurality of channel access intervals includes a respective contention interval and a respective transmission opportunity.

As further shown inFIG. 6, in some aspects, process600may include transmitting, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the device (block620). For example, the device (e.g., using transmit processor220, TX MIMO processor230, MOD232, antenna234, controller/processor240, antenna252, MOD254, transmit processor264, TX MIMO processor266, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may transmit, during a contention interval of a first channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for the device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of one or more subsequent channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, associated with the device, as described above in connection withFIG. 4.

In a first aspect, the signal is configured to be decodable by one or more first devices that use a spectrum sharing technology to communicate and one or more second devices that use an asynchronous channel access technology to communicate. In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the asynchronous channel access technology includes at least one of a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, a licensed-assisted access (LAA) technology, a Long Term Evolution in unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) technology, or a New Radio in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) technology. In a third aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first and second aspects, the spectrum sharing technology is associated with a New Radio radio access technology.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through third aspects, the plurality of channel access intervals occur with a periodicity, and the periodicity is indicated in the signal. In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the one or more subsequent channel access intervals include a single subsequent channel access interval that occurs closest in time subsequent to the first channel access interval.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the plurality of channel access intervals are noncontiguous in time, and each pair of consecutive channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, is separated by a low priority interval during which the device is not associated with the priority condition. In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the device is configured to attempt to access a channel, during the low priority interval, after a maximum contention window time, associated with asynchronous channel access during the low priority interval, has elapsed. In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the device is configured to refrain from attempting to access the channel before the maximum contention window time has elapsed. In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the device is configured to attempt to access a channel, during the low priority interval, using a higher clear channel assessment deferral value than an asynchronous channel access device.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the signal further identifies a first coordinated rate control interval of the first channel access interval. In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the one or more subsequent channel access intervals includes information that identifies at least one of: one or more subsequent contention intervals included in the one or more subsequent channel access intervals, one or more subsequent coordinated rate control intervals included in the one or more subsequent channel access intervals, one or more subsequent transmission opportunities included in the one or more subsequent channel access intervals, or a combination thereof.

In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through tenth aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the one or more subsequent channel access intervals includes information that identifies the one or more subsequent contention intervals, and the information that identifies at least the portion of the one or more subsequent channel access intervals excludes information that identifies the one or more subsequent coordinated rate control intervals and the one or more subsequent transmission opportunities. In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the one or more subsequent channel access intervals includes information that identifies the one or more subsequent coordinated rate control intervals and the one or more subsequent transmission opportunities, and the information that identifies at least the portion of the one or more subsequent channel access intervals excludes information that identifies the one or more subsequent contention interval.

In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, the signal includes at least one of: a modified request to send (RTS) signal, a modified clear to send (CTS) signal, a modified clear to send to self (CTS2S) signal, or a combination thereof.

AlthoughFIG. 6shows example blocks of process600, in some aspects, process600may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 6. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process600may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example process700performed, for example, by a device, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process700is an example where a device (e.g., base station110, UE120, ACA device150, ACA device505, and/or the like) performs operations associated with coexistence between synchronous and/or asynchronous channel access systems.

As shown inFIG. 7, in some aspects, process700may include receiving, during a first contention interval of a first channel access interval of a plurality of channel access intervals during which the asynchronous channel access device is not associated with a priority condition relative to a spectrum sharing device for communications by the asynchronous channel access device, a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for a spectrum sharing device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of a subsequent channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals (block710). For example, the device (e.g., using antenna234, DEMOD232, MIMO detector236, receive processor238, controller/processor240, antenna252, DEMOD254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may receive, during a first contention interval of a first channel access interval of a plurality of channel access intervals during which the asynchronous channel access device is not associated with a priority condition relative to a spectrum sharing device (e.g., has low priority relative to the spectrum sharing device) for communications by the asynchronous channel access device (e.g., asynchronous channel access communications), a signal that includes: channel occupancy information for an NR-SS device for a first transmission opportunity of the first channel access interval, and information that identifies at least a portion of a subsequent channel access interval of the plurality of channel access intervals, as described above in connection withFIGS. 4-5.

As further shown inFIG. 7, in some aspects, process700may include coordinating one or more communications of the asynchronous channel access device to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval (block720). For example, the device (e.g., using controller/processor240, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may coordinate one or more communications of the asynchronous channel access device to end prior to a start of the subsequent channel access interval, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

In a first aspect, the signal includes information that identifies at least a portion of multiple subsequent channel access intervals of the plurality of channel access intervals, and the asynchronous channel access device is configured to coordinate one or more communications of the asynchronous channel access device to end prior to respective starts of each of the multiple subsequent channel access intervals. In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the one or more communications are coordinated to avoid a subsequent contention interval of the subsequent channel access interval. In a third aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect and/or the second aspect, the one or more communications are coordinated to avoid at least one of: a first coordinated rate control interval included in the first channel access interval, a subsequent coordinated rate control interval included in the subsequent channel access interval, or a combination thereof. In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through third aspects, at least one of the first coordinated rate control interval or the subsequent coordinated rate control interval is indicated in the signal.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the one or more communications are coordinated to avoid collision with one or more communications of the spectrum sharing device, in the first transmission opportunity, indicated in the signal. In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the signal is configured to be decodable by one or more spectrum sharing devices that use a spectrum sharing technology to communicate, and one or more asynchronous channel access devices that use an asynchronous channel access technology to communicate. In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the asynchronous channel access technology includes at least one of a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, a licensed-assisted access (LAA) technology, a Long Term Evolution in unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) technology, or a New Radio in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) technology. In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the spectrum sharing technology is associated with a New Radio radio access technology.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the plurality of channel access intervals occur with a periodicity, and the periodicity is indicated in the signal. In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the subsequent channel access interval is a single subsequent channel access interval that occurs closest in time subsequent to the first channel access interval. In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through tenth aspects, the plurality of channel access intervals are noncontiguous in time, and each pair of consecutive channel access intervals, of the plurality of channel access intervals, is separated by an interval during which the asynchronous channel access device has high priority for asynchronous channel access communications.

In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the subsequent channel access interval includes information that identifies at least one of: a subsequent contention interval included in the subsequent channel access interval, a subsequent coordinated rate control interval included in the subsequent channel access interval, a subsequent transmission opportunity included in the subsequent channel access interval, or a combination thereof. In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the subsequent channel access interval includes information that identifies the subsequent contention interval. In a fourteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through thirteenth aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the subsequent channel access interval excludes information that identifies the subsequent coordinated rate control interval and the subsequent transmission opportunity. In a fifteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through fourteenth aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the subsequent channel access interval includes information that identifies the subsequent coordinated rate control interval and the subsequent transmission opportunity. In a sixteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through fifteenth aspects, the information that identifies at least the portion of the subsequent channel access interval excludes information that identifies the subsequent contention interval.

In a seventeenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through sixteenth aspects, the signal includes at least one of: a modified request to send (RTS) signal, a modified clear to send (CTS) signal, a modified clear to send to self (CTS2S) signal, or a combination thereof. In an eighteenth aspect, alone or in combination with any one or more of the first through seventeenth aspects, the asynchronous channel access communications include at least one of wireless local area network (WLAN) communications, licensed-assisted access (LAA) communications, Long Term Evolution in unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) communications, or New Radio in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) communications.

AlthoughFIG. 7shows example blocks of process700, in some aspects, process700may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 7. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process700may be performed in parallel.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used herein, the term component is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. As used herein, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software.