Communication node and methods performed thereby

A first communication node configured to operate in a wireless communications network, the first communication node being configured to:

• adjust a value of a Contention Window, CW, from a first value to a second value, the second value being a higher value than the first value, adjustment of the value being based on:
• at least one feedback timer having expired at a time of performing a sensing procedure in the absence of one of:
• a) a received uplink, UL, grant from a second communication node, and b) a downlink feedback from the second communication node for an Autonomous Uplink, AUL, transmission from the first communication node;
• and
• following adjusting the value, configured to:
• initiate the sensing procedure performed prior to a transmission of an UL burst to the second communication node, the sensing procedure using the adjusted value of the CW.

A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method performed by a first communication node operating in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

• adjusting a value of a Contention Window, CW, from a first value to a second value, the second value being a higher value than the first value, adjusting the value being based on:
• at least one feedback timer having expired at a time of performing a sensing procedure in the absence of one of:
• a) a received uplink, UL, grant from a second communication node, and b) a downlink feedback from the second communication node for an Autonomous Uplink, AUL, transmission from the first communication node;
• and
• following adjusting the value:
• initiating a sensing procedure performed prior to a transmission of an UL burst to the second communication node, the sensing procedure using the adjusted value of the CW.