Patent Description:
Due to the increasing demand for wireless communications, there is a desire to improve the efficiency of wireless communication network techniques.

<CIT> discloses methods and apparatuses for providing increased system throughput of next generation WLAN devices without impacting the throughput of legacy devices. Some embodiments allow a controller to set the energy level for an STA to use to determine whether the medium is busy or not, whereas others allow an STA to set the energy level individually of the controller but considering the received energy levels from neighbor AP's in the network. Further embodiments may yet allow an STA to set the energy level individually by taking into consideration of the load and percentage of legacy devices in the BSS and OBSSs of the network.

Advantageous optional features are then set out in the accompanying dependent claims.

Software may be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network <NUM> configured for determining an evaluation period for a multi-panel UE.

In certain aspects, the UE <NUM> may be configured to operate communication component <NUM> and/or configuration component <NUM> to determining, by a node, whether a supervising node coexists with one or more neighbor supervising nodes; activating, by the node, a relaxed energy detection (ED) threshold for establishing medium access suitability for an unlicensed spectrum based on a determination that the supervising node coexists with the one or more neighbor supervising nodes; and performing, by the node, an access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum based on the relaxed ED threshold.

Correspondingly, in certain aspects, the network entity <NUM> (e.g., base station) may be configured to operate communication component <NUM> and/or configuration component <NUM> to communicate with the UE <NUM> and/or communication component <NUM>.

The base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., S1 interface). The base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with core network <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM>. The base stations <NUM> may communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC <NUM> or core network <NUM>) with each other over backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., X2 interface). The backhaul links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be wired or wireless.

<FIG> include diagrams of example frame structures and resources that may be utilized in communications between the base stations <NUM>, the UEs <NUM>, and/or the secondary UEs (or sidelink UEs) <NUM> described in this disclosure.

The subcarrier spacing is <NUM> and symbol duration is approximately <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a base station <NUM> in communication with a UE <NUM> in an access network, where the base station <NUM> may be an example implementation of base station <NUM> and where UE <NUM> may be an example implementation of UE <NUM>.

At least one of the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and the controller/processor <NUM> may be configured to perform aspects in connection with communication component <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the described features generally relate to dynamic energy detection (ED) thresholds for medium access. For example, medium access suitable for NR-U is based on the transmitter sensing only and the ED set to -<NUM> dBm is generally suitable for the unlicensed spectrum. In an example for the ED threshold, a WiFi medium access procedure may rely on the receiver protection procedure through preamble detection and Request to Send / Clear to Send (RTS/CTS) signaling. Since WiFi nodes defer medium access based on preamble detection threshold at -<NUM> dBm, then the ED threshold for WiFi nodes may be increased to - 62dBm. Different ED thresholds among different technologies can lead to fairness issues in case of NR-U and WiFi coexistence, thus favoring WiFi. In some instances, the ED threshold among different technologies can lead to fairness issues in case of NR-U and WiFi coexistence, thus favoring NR-U.

For example, in an aspect, the present disclosure includes a method, apparatus, and non-statutory computer readable medium for wireless communications for determining, by a node, whether a supervising node coexists with one or more neighbor supervising nodes; activating, by the node, a relaxed energy detection (ED) threshold for establishing medium access suitability for an unlicensed spectrum based on a determination that the supervising node coexists with the one or more neighbor supervising nodes; and performing, by the node, an access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum based on the relaxed ED threshold.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., the UE <NUM>; the apparatus <NUM>; the controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM> and which may be the entire UE <NUM> or a component of the UE <NUM>, such as the TX processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the transceiver <NUM>) in combination with the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes determining, by a node, whether a supervising node coexists with one or more neighbor supervising nodes. In an aspect, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to determine whether a supervising node coexists with one or more neighbor supervising nodes. For example, the supervising node may correspond to a WiFi-enabled supervising node (e.g., a WiFi STA), and the neighbor supervising nodes may correspond to different WiFi-enabled supervising nodes and supervised WiFi-enabled nodes not controlled by a corresponding supervising WiFi-enabled node. As such, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM>, TX processor <NUM>, and transceiver <NUM> may define a means for determining, by a node, whether a supervising node coexists with one or more neighbor supervising nodes.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes activating, by the node, a relaxed energy detection (ED) threshold for establishing medium access suitability for an unlicensed spectrum based on a determination that the supervising node coexists with the one or more neighbor supervising nodes. In an aspect, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to activating a relaxed ED threshold for establishing medium access suitability for an unlicensed spectrum based on a determination that the supervising node coexists with the one or more neighbor supervising nodes. As such, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM>, RX processor <NUM>, and transceiver <NUM> may define a means for activating, by the node, a relaxed ED threshold for establishing medium access suitability for an unlicensed spectrum based on a determination that the supervising node coexists with the one or more neighbor supervising nodes.

At <NUM>, method <NUM> includes performing, by the node, an access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum based on the relaxed ED threshold. In an aspect, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to perform, by the node, an access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum based on the relaxed ED threshold. As such, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM>, e.g., in conjunction with controller/processor <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, which may include the memory <NUM>, modem <NUM>, RX processor <NUM>, and transceiver <NUM> may define a means for performing, by the node, an access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum based on the relaxed ED threshold.

In an example, of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to determine, by the node, whether the supervising node coexists with only one or more neighbor nodes; disable, by the node, the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that the supervising node coexists with only the one or more neighbor nodes; and perform, by the node, the access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum based on a default ED threshold. For example, the supervising node may correspond to a WiFi-enabled supervising node (e.g., a WiFi STA), and the neighbor nodes may correspond to NR-U-enabled nodes.

In an example of method <NUM>, the default ED threshold is lower in value than the relaxed ED threshold.

In an example of method <NUM>, the default ED threshold is shared across a plurality of different radio access technologies (RATs).

In an example, of method <NUM>, the one or more neighbor supervising nodes correspond to one or more neighbor supervising WiFi nodes and one or more supervised WiFi nodes not controlled by a particular supervising WiFi node of the one or more neighbor supervising WiFi nodes.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to determine whether a portion of medium access deferrals not caused by a default ED threshold exceeds a time deferral threshold; and wherein activating the relaxed ED threshold further comprises activating the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that the portion of medium access deferrals not caused by the default ED threshold exceeds the time deferral threshold.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to determine whether user data is received due to the medium access deferrals; and preventing activation of the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that the user data is received due to the medium access deferrals.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to determine whether the one or more of the medium access deferrals was due to communications between one or more nodes where at least one of the one or more nodes is a supervising node for the one or more nodes; and preventing activation of the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that the one or more of the medium access deferrals was due to communications between the one or more nodes where at least the one of the one or more nodes is supervising equipment for the one or more nodes.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to deactivate the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that the portion of medium access deferrals not caused by the default ED threshold do not exceed the time deferral threshold.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to prevent activation of the relaxed ED threshold for contending supervising equipment corresponding to WiFi enabled stations (STAs).

In an example of method <NUM>, activating the relaxed ED threshold further comprises activating the relaxed ED threshold based on one or more medium access deferrals not caused by a default ED threshold.

In an example of method <NUM>, the one or more medium access deferrals exist for a predefined period of time corresponding to a maximum channel occupancy time (COT).

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to determining whether the one or more of the medium access deferrals was due to communications between one or more nodes where at least one of the one or more nodes is supervising equipment for the one or more nodes; and preventing activation of the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that the one or more of the medium access deferrals was due to communications between the one or more nodes where at least the one of the one or more nodes is supervising equipment for the one or more nodes.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to prevent activation of the relaxed ED threshold for contending supervising equipment corresponding to WiFi enabled STAs.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to deactivate the relaxed ED threshold in response to successfully performing the access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum.

In method <NUM>, activating the relaxed ED threshold further comprises activating the relaxed ED threshold based on one or more medium access deferrals not caused by a default ED threshold; and further comprising deactivating the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that the portion of medium access deferrals not caused by the default ED threshold do not exceed the time deferral threshold.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to lower a ED threshold based on an detecting an ED-only device.

In an example of method <NUM>, the UE <NUM> and/or the communication component <NUM>/configuration component <NUM> may be configured to count a duration corresponding to a length of the one or more medium access deferrals; and activate the relaxed ED threshold for the duration.

In an example of method <NUM>, the supervising node coexists with the one or more neighbor supervising nodes via message detection or backhaul coordination in combination with ED.

Referring to <FIG>, one example of an implementation of UE <NUM> may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above and are described further herein, including components such as one or more processors <NUM> and memory <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> in communication via one or more buses <NUM>, which may operate in conjunction with modem <NUM> and/or communication component <NUM> for determining a maximum number of missed opportunities during calculation of an evaluation period in NR-U networks.

In an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> can include a modem <NUM> and/or can be part of the modem <NUM> that uses one or more modem processors. Thus, the various functions related to communication component <NUM> may be included in modem <NUM> and/or processors <NUM> and, in an aspect, can be executed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different ones of the functions may be executed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> may include any one or any combination of a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processor associated with transceiver <NUM>. In other aspects, some of the features of the one or more processors <NUM> and/or modem <NUM> associated with communication component <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM>.

Also, memory <NUM> may be configured to store data used herein and/or local versions of applications <NUM> or communicating component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents being executed by at least one processor <NUM>. Memory <NUM> can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or at least one processor <NUM>, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, for example, memory <NUM> may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more computer-executable codes defining communication component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents, and/or data associated therewith, when UE <NUM> is operating at least one processor <NUM> to execute communication component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents.

In an aspect, communicating component <NUM> can optionally include mode determining component <NUM>. For example, upon receiving an anchor signal in an initial bandwidth portion from a network entity <NUM>, the anchor signal triggering an initial access procedure for the UE <NUM>, mode determining component <NUM> may determine whether to operate in a wideband OFDM mode or a wideband SC-FDM mode in response to receiving the anchor signal. Communicating component <NUM> may then transmit a capability report message to the network entity <NUM> based on the determination by the mode determining component <NUM> of whether to operate in the wideband OFDM mode or the wideband SC-FDM mode.

Referring to <FIG>, one example of an implementation of base station <NUM> (e.g., a base station <NUM>, as described above) may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above, but including components such as one or more processors <NUM> and memory <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> in communication via one or more buses <NUM>, which may operate in conjunction with modem <NUM> and communication component <NUM> for communicating reference signals.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of wireless communication performed by a node, comprising:
determining (<NUM>) whether a supervising node coexists with one or more neighbor supervising nodes;
activating (<NUM>) a relaxed energy detection, ED, threshold for establishing medium access suitability for an unlicensed spectrum based on a determination that the supervising node coexists with the one or more neighbor supervising nodes; and
performing (<NUM>) an access procedure for the unlicensed spectrum based on the relaxed ED threshold, wherein the relaxed ED threshold is configured to be higher in value than a default ED threshold,
characterized in that:
activating the relaxed ED threshold further comprises: activating the relaxed ED threshold based on one or more medium access deferrals not caused by the default ED threshold; and
wherein the method further comprises: deactivating the relaxed ED threshold based on a determination that a portion of a plurality of the one or more medium access deferrals not caused by the default ED threshold do not exceed a time deferral threshold.