Method and apparatus for wireless communication

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for wireless communication are disclosed. In particular, a method for resource allocation at a network device is provided. The method comprises allocating a first frequency band to at least one first terminal device using a first radio access technology, RAT, and allocating a second frequency band to at least one second terminal device using a second RAT. The first frequency band at least partially overlaps the second frequency band, and the overlapping portion of the first and second frequency bands is spatially multiplexed between the at least one first terminal device and the at least one second terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to wireless communications, and more specifically, to resource allocation in wireless communications. Background Technology

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication, including New Radio (NR). As an emerging telecommunications standard, 5G NR is a series of enhancements to the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile standard.

[0003] In the initial phase of NR deployment, one of the most typical configurations for NR is sharing or partially sharing spectrum resources with 4G networks. For example, according to the configuration recommended by CMCC for the 2020 NR rollout, LTE and NR will share 40MHz of spectrum (2575MHz~2615MHz). As more and more user equipment (UEs) gradually leave 4G networks and appear in 5G networks, spectrum resources will also gradually shift from 4G to 5G, which can flexibly balance short-term and long-term network needs.

[0004] Several options are available for sharing spectrum resources between LTE and NR, one of which is the Physical Resource Block (PRB) level spectrum sharing scheme. As the most flexible scheme, the PBR level spectrum sharing scheme is only effective for consecutive PRB allocations. However, for non-consecutive PRB allocations, many guard bands must be configured to overcome inter-carrier interference between LTE and NR, ultimately leading to a waste of spectrum resources. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, a resource allocation technique is needed in wireless communication networks that improves the efficiency of spectrum utilization.

[0006] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a method for resource allocation at a network device is provided. The method may include: allocating a first frequency band to at least one first terminal device using a first radio access technology (RAT); and allocating a second frequency band to at least one second terminal device using a second RAT. The first frequency band may at least partially overlap with the second frequency band, and the overlapping portion of the first and second frequency bands may be spatially multiplexed between the at least one first terminal device and the at least one second terminal device.

[0007] The first RAT may include LTE, and the second RAT may include NR. The first frequency band may be allocated for at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one first terminal device. The second frequency band may be allocated for at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one second terminal device. The at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one first terminal device may include the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of LTE. The at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one second terminal device may include the PDSCH of NR.

[0008] The method may further include: allocating a third frequency band for LTE detection reference signal SRS and / or at least one broadcast channel of a first type of the at least one first terminal device. The third frequency band may be located at a fixed position within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The at least one broadcast channel of the first type of the at least one first terminal device may include at least one of cell reference signal CRS, physical downlink control channel PDCCH, physical control format indication channel PCIFICH, synchronization signal block SSB, total radiated sensitivity TRS, and channel state information-reference signal CSI-RS.

[0009] The method may further include: allocating a fourth frequency band for the NR's detection reference signal SRS and / or at least one broadcast channel of a first type of the at least one second terminal device. The fourth frequency band may be located at another fixed location within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The at least one broadcast channel of the first type of the at least one second terminal device may include at least one of a synchronization signal block SSB, a total radiated sensitivity TRS, and a channel state information-reference signal CSI-RS.

[0010] The method may further include: allocating a fifth frequency band for at least one broadcast channel of a second type for the at least one first terminal device. The location of the fifth frequency band may be variable within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The fifth frequency band may be directly adjacent to the third frequency band. The at least one broadcast channel of the second type for the at least one first terminal device may include at least an LTE PDSCH.

[0011] The method may further include: allocating a sixth frequency band for at least one broadcast channel of a second type for the at least one second terminal device. The location of the sixth frequency band may be variable within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The sixth frequency band may be directly adjacent to the fourth frequency band. The at least one broadcast channel of the second type of the at least one second terminal device may include at least a PDSCH of NR.

[0012] The first frequency band may be directly adjacent to the third or fifth frequency band. The second frequency band may be directly adjacent to the fourth or sixth frequency band. NR may use a different set of parameters than LTE.

[0013] In a second aspect of this disclosure, a network device is provided. The network device may include a processor and a memory configured to store instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions may cause the network device to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0014] In a third aspect of this disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a program code portion configured to perform the method according to the first aspect when the computer program product is executed on one or more computing devices (e.g., a processor or a group of distributed processors). The computer program product may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium (e.g., semiconductor memory, DVD, CD-ROM, etc.). Attached Figure Description

[0015] The following describes implementations of the techniques presented herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication network in which LTE UEs and NR UEs coexist;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of continuous PRB allocation between LTE and NR in the prior art;

[0018] Figure 3(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of non-contiguous PRB allocation between LTE and N in the prior art;

[0019] Figure 3(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a non-continuous PRB allocation with more detail;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for resource allocation according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of resource allocation between LTE and NR according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5(b) is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of resource allocation between LTE and NR according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network device according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7This demonstrates the operability of one aspect of this disclosure. Figure 4 A block diagram of an exemplary apparatus for the method;

[0025] Figure 8 This schematically illustrates a telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a general block diagram of a host computer that communicates with user equipment via a base station through a partially wireless connection; and

[0027] Figures 10 to 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system that includes a host computer, a base station, and user equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0028] In the following description, specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation and not limitation in order to provide a thorough understanding of this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details.

[0029] As used herein, the term "wireless communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as NR, LTE-A Advanced, LTE, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a wireless communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), LTE and / or other suitable 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, 4G, 4.5G, 5G, 6G communication protocols, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standards such as the IEEE 802.11 standard; and / or any other suitable wireless communication standard, such as Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMax), Bluetooth and / or ZigBee standards and / or any other currently known or future protocols.

[0030] The term "network device" or "network node" refers to a device in a communications network through which terminal devices access the network and receive services. Examples of network devices can include base stations (BS), access points (APs), or any other suitable devices in a wireless communications network. A BS can be, for example, a Node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a next-generation Node B (gNodeB or gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a repeater, or a low-power node (e.g., femtosecond, picosecond, etc.). Further examples of network devices can include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment (e.g., an MSR BS), a network controller (e.g., a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC)), a base transceiver station (BTS), a transmission point, a transmission node, a location node, etc. However, more generally, a network device can refer to any suitable device (or group of devices) that is capable of, configured, positioned, and / or operable to enable and / or provide terminal devices with access to a wireless communications network, or to provide some service to terminal devices that can access a wireless communications network.

[0031] The term "terminal device" refers to any end device that can access and receive services from a wireless communication network. By way of example and not limitation, terminal device can refer to a mobile terminal, user equipment (UE), or other suitable device. A UE can be, for example, a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT). Terminal devices can include, but are not limited to, portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wearable devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, etc.

[0032] In the following description, the terms “terminal device,” “terminal,” “user equipment,” and “UE” are used interchangeably. As an example, a terminal device may refer to a UE configured to communicate according to one or more communication standards (e.g., 3GPP’s GSM, UMTS, LTE, and / or 5G standards) issued by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As used herein, “user equipment” or “UE” may not necessarily have a “user” in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the associated device. In some embodiments, a terminal device may be configured to send and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, a terminal device may be designed to send information to a network based on a predetermined schedule when triggered by an internal or external event or in response to a request from a wireless communication network. As a further example, a UE may refer to a device intended to be sold to or operated by a human user but which may not initially be associated with a particular human user.

[0033] As yet another example, in the Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a terminal device can represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring, sensing, and / or measurement and sends the results of such monitoring, sensing, and / or measurement to another terminal device and / or network device. In this case, the terminal device can be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which in the 3GPP context can be referred to as a machine-type communication (MTC) device.

[0034] As used in this article, downlink transmission refers to transmission from network devices to terminal devices, while uplink transmission refers to transmission in the opposite direction.

[0035] References to "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., in this specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is assumed that implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments (whether explicitly described or not) is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0036] It will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various units, these units should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one unit from another. For example, a first unit may be referred to as a second unit, and similarly, a second unit may be referred to as a first unit without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed associated items.

[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that, as used herein, the terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” specify the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0038] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0039] Figure 1 This illustrates a scenario where LTE UEs and NR UEs coexist in a wireless communication network. The LTE base station communicates with the LTE UE using time and frequency radio resources, which differ from those used for communication between the NR base station and the NR UE. Spectrum resources must be shared by these two different RATs. The PRB-level spectrum sharing scheme is considered the most flexible and attractive among existing solutions.

[0040] Under PRB-level spectrum sharing, the entire bandwidth of spectrum resources used for a specific transmission time interval (TTI) will be shared by NR and LTE. However, neither NR nor LTE can occupy a specific portion of the entire bandwidth based on actual service requirements. Nevertheless, LTE and NR can have different parameter sets (e.g., LTE 15kHz and NR 30kHz). To minimize mutual interference caused by the non-orthogonality between different subcarrier spaces, a guard band can be placed between the subband used for NR and the subband used for LTE.

[0041] Considering the number of guard bands, PRB-level spectrum sharing may only be effective for consecutive PRB allocations, such as... Figure 2 As shown in Figure 3(a), only a few guard bands are needed. However, for the discontinuous PRB allocation shown in Figure 3(a), the spectrum utilization efficiency deteriorates significantly because a large number of guard bands are required, ultimately resulting in a high percentage of wasted frequency resources. Figure 3(b) further illustrates the discontinuous PRB allocation with more detail. As can be seen from Figure 3(b), the entire spectrum is divided into multiple frequency bands with many guard bands. These frequency bands are then exclusively allocated by the scheduler to NR or LTE. The frequency resources allocated to LTE / NR can be spatially reused among different UEs of the same RAT.

[0042] Despite the frequency waste, discontinuous PRB allocation can be beneficial in many cases. Take LTE as an example. Some physical channels can be diversified across the entire bandwidth to achieve frequency diversity gain, such as frequency hopping configured for Voice over IP (VoIP) and the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) configured to periodically hop between the edges of the uplink band. A similar situation applies to NR.

[0043] To avoid any inter-carrier interference between NR and LTE, current technicians can either: limit the LTE / NR scheduler to avoid frequency hopping, which sacrifices system performance that could otherwise be gained from diversity gain; or reserve more frequency resources for necessary guard bands, which results in a waste of spectrum resources.

[0044] Therefore, allocating spectrum between LTE and NR in a way that balances system performance and spectrum utilization efficiency can be advantageous.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 for resource allocation according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0046] In block 410, a first frequency band is allocated to at least one first terminal device using a first RAT (e.g., LTE). In block 420, a second frequency band is allocated to at least one second terminal device using a second RAT (e.g., NR). The first and second frequency bands at least partially overlap, and the overlapping portion of the first and second frequency bands is spatially multiplexed between at least one first terminal device (e.g., an LTE UE) and at least one second terminal device (e.g., an NR UE). As described above, according to method 400, the same time and frequency radio resources can be shared between two different RATs through spatial multiplexing. Details will be described below with reference to Figures 5(a) and 5(b).

[0047] Figure 5(a) illustrates an example of resource allocation between LTE and NR according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0048] The first frequency band (501a) can be allocated for one or more non-broadcast channels for one or more LTE UEs. LTE non-broadcast channels (in...) Figure 5(a) and 5(b)Examples referred to as "Type C LTE" can include LTE UE-specific PDSCHs, in other words, not for broadcast purposes. Furthermore, LTE's demodulation reference signal-based uplink channels (DMRS) can also be considered non-broadcast channels. Sounding reference signals (SRS) and physical random access channels (PRACH) are exceptions because SRS / PRACH configurations are semi-static; and once configured, communication by the UE in the configured time slots and allocated frequency slots is mandatory.

[0049] The two blocks representing "Type C LTE" are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The number of LTE UEs allocated to the first frequency band (501a) can vary depending on the actual communication scenario (i.e., the capabilities of the network equipment, the number of LTE UEs distributed throughout the wireless communication network and requesting frequency resources at a specific TTI, and / or spatial information). For example, the network equipment may collect spatial information of LTE UEs based on uplink probes, uplink DMRS, and / or uplink PRACH received from the LTE UEs.

[0050] The location and bandwidth of the first frequency band (501a) within the spectrum can then be determined by the network equipment. LTE can use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) on the downlink, which divides the bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (called a "resource block") can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands, respectively.

[0051] Similar to the aspects described above regarding LTE, the second frequency band (502a) can be allocated for one or more non-broadcast channels for one or more NRUEs. The non-broadcast channels of NR (in...) Figure 5(a) and 5(b) Examples referred to as "Type C NR" can include NR UE-specific PDSCH, in other words, not for broadcast purposes. Furthermore, NR's DMRS-based uplink channels can also be considered non-broadcast channels. SRS and PRACH are exceptions because SRS / PRACH configuration is semi-static; and once configured, communication by the UE in the configured time slots and allocated frequency slots is mandatory.

[0052] The two boxes representing "Type C NR" are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The number of NR UEs allocated to the second frequency band (502a) can vary depending on the actual communication scenario (i.e., the capabilities of the network equipment, the number of NR UEs distributed throughout the wireless communication network and requesting frequency resources at a specific TTI, and / or spatial information). Furthermore, the network equipment can collect spatial information of NR UEs based on uplink probes, uplink DMRS, and / or uplink PRACH received from the NR UEs.

[0053] The location and bandwidth of the second frequency band (502a) within the spectrum can then be determined by the network equipment. It should be noted that NR can also use OFDM, but with a different set of parameters than LTE, such as 30kHz and 60kHz.

[0054] In terms of the bandwidth and location of the spectrum allocated by the network equipment, the first frequency band (501a) allocated to the LTE UE can be the same as the second frequency band (502a) allocated to the NR UE. From the perspective of the network equipment, the NR UE can be spatially distinguished from the LTE UE. In other words, the LTE UE and the NR UE spatially reuse the same frequency band (501a, 502a).

[0055] Both NR and LTE can be deployed with massive MIMO. In MIMO, the more antennas the transmitter / receiver has, the more possible signal paths (e.g., spatial streams), resulting in better performance in terms of data rate and link reliability. Massive MIMO can involve using a large number of serving antennas that can operate coherently and adaptively. The additional antennas help concentrate the transmission and reception of signal energy into a smaller spatial area. This can lead to significant improvements in throughput and energy efficiency, especially when combined with the simultaneous scheduling of a large number of UEs. Massive MIMO can be applied to both Time Division Duplex (TDD) and Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) operations. The use of massive MIMO technology enables network devices to utilize the spatial domain to support spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and transmit diversity.

[0056] Furthermore, LTE nodes (e.g., LTE base stations) and NR nodes (e.g., NR base stations) of network equipment can share information to perform joint channel processing between LTE and NR. It is further recommended that LTE and NR share the same radio to ensure identical channel observations. Due to MU-MIMO (or spatial multiplexing), LTE and NR base stations can transmit to and receive from the UE using the same time and frequency radio resources.

[0057] Compared to Figure 3, spatial reuse of frequency bands (501a, 502a) between LTE and NR (as shown in Figure 5(a)) enables more flexible allocation of frequency resources, leading to fuller utilization of these resources. This is possible when a frequency band is exclusively allocated to UEs using one RAT for the entire spatial domain within the network equipment's coverage area, while some UEs in a specific spatial area with the same RAT may not necessarily require the allocated frequency band at a particular TTI because their needs are limited and / or time-insensitive. In this case, allocating the frequency band to UEs using another RAT located in the same specific spatial area can be advantageous, especially when UEs using the latter RAT have a greater need for spectrum resources at that particular TTI.

[0058] Figure 5(b) illustrates another example of resource allocation between LTE and NR according to one aspect of this disclosure, wherein the overlapping portion of the first frequency band (501b) and the second frequency band (502b) is spatially multiplexed between the LTE UE and the NR UE.

[0059] The aspects described above with reference to FIG5(a) also apply to the example of FIG5(b) to at least the extent to which the first / second frequency band (501b, 502b) can be determined by the network device for use as a non-broadcast channel (“Type C”) and to the extent that it is at least partially spatially multiplexed between the LTE and the UE.

[0060] Compared to Figure 5(a), the first frequency band (501b) allocated to LTE in Figure 5(b) may only partially overlap with the second frequency band (502b) allocated to NR. More specifically, the first frequency band (501b) occupies a guard band arranged between the second frequency band (502b) and the fifth frequency band (505b) also allocated to LTE. It should be noted that in the prior art, the guard band covers the entire spatial domain of the network equipment because at a specific TTI, each frequency band is also exclusively allocated to only one RAT for the entire spatial domain (see Figure 3). Therefore, such a guard band is necessary to minimize mutual interference between two different RATs.

[0061] On the other hand, as a result of spatial multiplexing, the first frequency band (501b) can be arranged to be directly adjacent to the fifth frequency band (505b) because the two frequency bands (501b, 505b) are allocated to the same RAT (i.e., LTE). Therefore, it is advantageous to be able to use guard band frequency resources in some spatial areas, thereby improving spectrum utilization efficiency.

[0062] Furthermore, for the two examples in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), frequency bands can be allocated based on the nature of the physical channels. To further illustrate, physical channels can be classified into non-broadcast channels (“Type C”) and broadcast channels. As the name suggests, broadcast channels should be broadcast to the entire coverage area of ​​the network device, and therefore, the frequency bands allocated to these channels cannot be spatially multiplexed between different RATs, unlike non-broadcast channels.

[0063] Broadcast channels can be further divided into two types. The first type (in...) Figure 5(a) and 5(b) Broadcast channels (referred to as "Type A") have a fixed location within the spectrum, while the second type (referred to as...) Figure 5(a) and 5(b) The broadcast channels ("Type B" in the text) have variable locations within the spectrum. In other words, network devices (e.g., schedulers) can change the location of frequency bands allocated to the second type of broadcast channels. Accordingly, network devices can allocate frequency bands first for at least the first type of broadcast channels. It should be noted that this disclosure does not limit whether frequency bands are allocated first to LTE or NR.

[0064] Examples of Type A LTE broadcast channels (“Type A LTE”) can include the Cell Reference Signal (CRS), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Control Format Indication Channel (PCIFICH), Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), Total Radiated Sensitivity (TRS), and Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS). The spectral location of the LTE CRS / PDCCH / PCIFICH can be entirely based on the UE Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) and transmission subframes. The spectral locations of the SSB, TRS / CSI-RS can be determined at cell establishment time.

[0065] Furthermore, the LTE Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) can also be considered a Type I broadcast channel because the SRS (used for spatial characteristic detection in downlink MU-MIMO) typically hops across the entire spectrum, and its PRB allocation is determined by the Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration.

[0066] Examples of Type A NR ("Type A NR") broadcast channels can include the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), Total Radiated Sensitivity (TRS), and Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS). Additionally, for the same reasons as LTE's SRS, NR's SRS can also be considered a Type A broadcast channel.

[0067] After the frequency bands for the first type of broadcast channels used for LTE / NR are allocated, the frequency bands can be arranged for the second type of broadcast channels used for LTE / NR. Advantageously, the frequency bands allocated to the second type of broadcast channels of one RAT are directly adjacent to the frequency bands allocated to the first type of broadcast channels of the same RAT. In this case, no guard band is required between them. The frequency bands for type C LTE / NR can be arranged after the second type of broadcast channels for LTE / NR, which also enables more flexible scheduling of frequency resources.

[0068] Examples of the second type of broadcast channel used for LTE (“Type B LTE”) can include the LTE Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) for broadcast purposes. To further illustrate, when a base station pages a UE, the base station does not have the UE's channel information and therefore must broadcast these messages.

[0069] Similarly, examples of a second type of broadcast channel (“Type B NR”) for NR can include the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) for broadcast purposes.

[0070] Referring back to Figure 5(b), guard bands exist only between the second frequency band (502b) and the fifth frequency band (505b), and between the sixth frequency band (506b) and another frequency band (507b). These guard bands cover only a portion of the entire spatial domain. Compared to the allocation pattern in Figure 3, many guard bands are eliminated, which improves the efficiency of frequency utilization across the entire spectrum.

[0071] The following example is provided to better understand how much frequency resources a guard band can consume. If there are 6 subbands allocated to LTE (i.e., blocks or islands as shown in Figures 3(b) and 5(a) – an island refers to a set of consecutive PRBs allocated to a terminal device)), typically 12 guard bands are required. Each guard band consumes 2 or 4 PRBs (depending on the isolation requirements for the guard band), which equates to 24% (or even 48%) of the frequency resources being wasted (2 PRBs / guard band * 12 guard bands / 100 PRBs LTE cell = 24%).

[0072] Figure 6 A network device 600 according to one aspect of this disclosure (which may be, for example, combined with...) Figure 4 A block diagram describing the network device.

[0073] Network device 600 includes a processor 610 and a memory 620. Optionally, network device 600 may also include a transceiver 640 coupled to the processor 610. Memory 620 contains instructions 630 executable by the processor 610 to cause network device 600 to perform the actions of method 400. In particular, memory 620 may contain instructions that, when executed by processor 610, cause network device 600 to allocate a first frequency band to at least one first terminal device using a first RAT, and to allocate a second frequency band to at least one second terminal device using a second RAT. The first frequency band may at least partially overlap with the second frequency band, and the overlapping portion of the first and second frequency bands may be spatially multiplexed between at least one first terminal device and at least one second terminal device.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the first RAT may include LTE, and the second RAT may include NR.

[0075] According to an embodiment, a first frequency band may be allocated for at least one non-broadcast channel of at least one first terminal device. A second frequency band may be allocated for at least one non-broadcast channel of at least one second terminal device.

[0076] According to an embodiment, at least one non-broadcast channel of at least one first terminal device may include the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of LTE.

[0077] According to an embodiment, at least one non-broadcast channel of at least one second terminal device may include NR's PDSCH.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the method further includes: allocating a third frequency band for LTE detection reference signal SRS and / or at least one broadcast channel of a first type for at least one first terminal device. The third frequency band may be located at a fixed position within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The at least one broadcast channel of the first type for at least one first terminal device may include at least one of cell reference signal CRS, physical downlink control channel PDCCH, physical control format indication channel PCIFICH, synchronization signal block SSB, total radiated sensitivity TRS, and channel state information-reference signal CSI-RS.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the method further includes: allocating a fourth frequency band for a sounding reference signal (SRS) for the NR and / or at least one broadcast channel of a first type for at least one second terminal device. The fourth frequency band may be located at another fixed location within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The at least one broadcast channel of the first type for at least one second terminal device may include at least one of a synchronization signal block (SSB), a total radiated sensitivity (TRS), and a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0080] According to an embodiment, the method further includes: allocating a fifth frequency band for at least one broadcast channel of a second type for at least one first terminal device. The location of the fifth frequency band may be variable within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The fifth frequency band may be directly adjacent to a third frequency band.

[0081] According to an embodiment, at least one broadcast channel of the second type of at least one first terminal device may include at least LTE PDSCH.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the method further includes: allocating a sixth frequency band for at least one broadcast channel of a second type for at least one second terminal device. The location of the sixth frequency band may be variable within the spectrum to be allocated by the network device. The sixth frequency band may be directly adjacent to the fourth frequency band.

[0083] According to an embodiment, at least one broadcast channel of the second type of at least one second terminal device may include at least the PDSCH of NR.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the first frequency band may be directly adjacent to the third or fifth frequency band.

[0085] According to embodiments, the second frequency band can be directly adjacent to the fourth or sixth frequency band. NR can use a different set of parameters than LTE.

[0086] According to one embodiment, NR can use a different set of parameters than LTE.

[0087] It should be noted that, for reference Figure 5(a) and 5(b) Further details of the description also apply here and can be omitted.

[0088] The memory 620 can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology (e.g., semiconductor-based memory terminal devices, magnetic memory terminal devices and systems, optical memory terminal devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples).

[0089] Processor 610 can be any type suitable for the local technology environment and can include one or more of general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures (as a non-limiting example).

[0090] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of an apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which can be configured to perform as in combination Figure 4 Method 400 is described.

[0091] The apparatus 700 may include a first allocation unit 710 and a second allocation unit 720. The first allocation unit 710 may be configured to allocate a first frequency band to at least one first terminal device using a first radio access technology, and the second allocation unit 720 may be configured to allocate a second frequency band to at least one second terminal device using a second RAT, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band at least partially overlap, and the overlapping portion of the first frequency band and the second frequency band is spatially multiplexed between at least one first terminal device and at least one second terminal device.

[0092] The device 700 may be implemented as a network device 600 or as a software and / or physical device within the network device 600 or communicatively coupled to the network device 600.

[0093] Further details regarding device 700 and regarding Figure 5(a) and 5(b) The details described are similar and can be omitted here.

[0094] like Figure 7 The units shown can be implemented as software and / or hardware, or as a device including such software and / or hardware, without limitation. For example, they can be implemented as a computer-readable program executable by a processor. Alternatively, they can be implemented as processing circuitry, such as an ASIC and / or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0095] This disclosure may also provide a computer-readable medium on which instructions are stored. When executed by a processor of a network device or terminal device, these instructions cause the network device or terminal device to perform the methods described in the above embodiments. The computer-readable medium may include computer-readable storage media, such as magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, optical disks, phase-change memory, or electronic storage terminal devices such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory devices, CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc. The computer-readable medium may also include computer-readable transmission media (also called carriers), such as electrical, optical, radio, acoustic, or other forms of propagation signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, etc.

[0096] This disclosure may also provide a computer program product containing stored instructions. When executed by a processor of a network device or terminal device, these instructions cause the network device or terminal device to perform the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0097] Generally, various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the invention are shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it will be understood that these blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented as non-limiting examples in hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0098] refer to Figure 8 According to an embodiment, the communication system includes a telecommunications network 810, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, comprising an access network 811, such as a radio access network, and a core network 814. The access network 811 includes multiple base stations 812a, 812b, 812c (e.g., NB, eNB, gNB) or other types of radio access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 813a, 813b, 813c. Each base station 812a, 812b, 812c can be connected to the core network 814 via a wired or wireless connection 815. A first user equipment (UE) 891 located in coverage area 813c is configured to be wirelessly connected to or paged by a corresponding base station 812c. A second UE 892 in coverage area 813a can be wirelessly connected to a corresponding base station 812a. Although multiple UEs 891, 892 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where only one UE is in the coverage area or only one UE is connected to a corresponding base station 812.

[0099] Telecommunication network 810 is connected to host computer 830, which may be embodied in the hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 830 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 821 and 822 between telecommunications network 810 and host computer 830 may extend directly from core network 814 to host computer 830, or via optional intermediate network 820. Intermediate network 820 may be one of public, private, or hosted networks, or a combination of more than one; intermediate network 820 (if any) may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 820 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0100] Overall, Figure 8The communication system enables connectivity between the connected UEs 891 and 892 and the host computer 830. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 850. The host computer 830 and the connected UEs 891 and 892 are configured to transmit data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 850 using access network 811, core network 814, any intermediate network 820, and possibly other infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 850 can be transparent because the participating communication devices traversed by the OTT connection 850 are unaware of the routes for uplink and downlink communications. For example, it may not be necessary to inform the base station 812 of the past routes for incoming downlink communications originating from the host computer 830 that are to be forwarded (e.g., transferred) to the connected UE 891. Similarly, the base station 812 does not need to know the future routes for outgoing uplink communications from the UE 891 to the host computer 830.

[0101] Now refer to Figure 9 Example implementations of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs according to embodiments are described below. In communication system 900, host computer 910 includes hardware 915, which includes a communication interface 916 configured to establish and maintain wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of communication system 900. Host computer 910 also includes processing circuitry 918, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry 918 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 910 also includes software 911, which is stored in or accessible by host computer 910 and executable by processing circuitry 918. Software 911 includes host application 912. Host application 912 is operable to provide services to remote users of UE 930, such as those connected via OTT connection 950 terminated between UE 930 and host computer 910. When providing services to remote users, host application 912 can provide user data sent using OTT connection 950.

[0102] The communication system 900 also includes a base station 920 installed in the telecommunications system, and the base station 920 includes hardware 925 that enables it to communicate with the host computer 910 and the UE 930. Hardware 925 may include a communication interface 926 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of the communication system 900, and for establishing and maintaining connections with areas within the coverage area served by the base station 920. Figure 9The UE 930 (not shown) has at least a radio interface 927 for a wireless connection 970. A communication interface 926 can be configured to facilitate a connection 960 with a host computer 910. The connection 960 can be direct, or it can be connected via the core network of a telecommunications system (…). Figure 9 (Not shown) and / or via one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 925 of the base station 920 also includes processing circuitry 928, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 920 also has software 921 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0103] The communication system 900 also includes the previously mentioned UE 930. The hardware 935 of the UE 930 may include a radio interface 937 configured to establish and maintain a radio connection 970 with a base station serving the coverage area where the UE 930 is currently located. The hardware 935 of the UE 930 also includes processing circuitry 938, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The UE 930 also includes software 931 stored in or accessible by the UE 930 and executable by the processing circuitry 938. The software 931 includes a client application 932. The client application 932 is operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 930 with the support of a host computer 910. In the host computer 910, a host application 912 is executing and can communicate with the executing client application 932 via an OTT connection 950 terminated between the UE 930 and the host computer 910. In providing services to users, client application 932 can receive request data from host application 912 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 950 can transmit both request data and user data. Client application 932 can interact with the user to generate user data provided by the user.

[0104] Notice, Figure 9 The host computer 910, base station 920, and UE 930 shown can be respectively connected to... Figure 8 The host computer 830, one of the base stations 812a, 812b, and 812c, and one of the UEs 891 and 892 are identical. That is to say, the internal working principles of these entities can be as follows: Figure 9 As shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 8 The surrounding network topology.

[0105] exist Figure 9The OTT connection 950 has been abstractly depicted to illustrate communication between host computer 910 and UE 930 via base station 920, without explicitly referencing any intermediate devices or the precise routing of messages via those devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, and can be configured to hide the routing from UE 930 or the service provider operating host computer 910, or both. When OTT connection 950 is active, the network infrastructure can further make decisions, dynamically changing the routing accordingly (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration).

[0106] The wireless connection 970 between UE 930 and base station 920 is based on the teachings of embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 930 using OTT connection 950 (where wireless connection 970 forms the final segment). More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments can improve the efficiency of resource utilization, thereby providing benefits such as better saving of network resources.

[0107] Measurement procedures may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors improved thereon in one or more embodiments. Optional network functions may also be available for reconfiguring the OTT connection 950 between the host computer 910 and the UE 930 in response to changes in measurement results. The measurement procedures and / or network functions for reconfiguring the OTT connection 950 may be implemented in the software 911 of the host computer 910 or in the software 931 of the UE 930, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with communication devices through which the OTT connection 950 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedures by providing values ​​of the monitored quantities as exemplified above or by providing values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 911, 931 may calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 950 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc. Reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station 920, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 920. Such procedures and functions may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, the measurement may involve proprietary UE signaling, which facilitates the host computer 910 in measuring throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. Measurements can be made because software 911, 931 causes the use of OTT connection 950 to send messages, particularly empty or "dummy" messages, during its monitoring of propagation time, errors, etc.

[0108] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The host computer, base station, and UE are described. To simplify this disclosure, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 10 Referring to the accompanying drawings. In the first step 1010 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step 1011 of the first step 1010, the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In the second step 1020, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. In an optional third step 1030, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station sends the user data carried in the host computer-initiated transmission to the UE. In an optional fourth step 1040, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0109] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The host computer, base station, and UE are described. To simplify this disclosure, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 11 Referring to the accompanying drawings. In the first step 1110 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In the second step 1120, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying user data to the UE. Based on the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, this transmission can be performed via a base station. In an optional third step 1130, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0110] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The host computer, base station, and UE are described. To simplify this disclosure, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 12Referring to the accompanying drawings. In an optional first step 1210 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step 1220, the UE provides user data. In an optional sub-step 1221 of the second step 1220, the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In another optional sub-step 1211 of the first step 1210, the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which user data is provided, the UE initiates the transmission of user data to the host computer in an optional third sub-step 1230. In a fourth step 1240 of the method, the host computer receives user data sent from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0111] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be referenced... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The host computer, base station, and UE are described. To simplify this disclosure, this section includes only descriptions of... Figure 13 Refer to the accompanying drawings. In an optional first step 1310 of the method, the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional second step 1320, the base station initiates a transmission of the received user data to a host computer. In a third step 1330, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0112] The present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments thereof. It should be understood that various modifications, alterations, and additions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but is defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method (400) at a network device for resource allocation, comprising: allocating (410) a first frequency band (501a, 501b) to at least one first terminal device using a first radio access technology, RAT; and allocating (420) a second frequency band (502a, 502b) to at least one second terminal device using a second RAT; wherein the first frequency band (501a, 501b) and the second frequency band (502a, 502b) at least partially overlap, and wherein an overlapping portion of the first frequency band and the second frequency band is spatially multiplexed between the at least one first terminal device and the at least one second terminal device; wherein the first RAT comprises long term evolution, LTE, and the second RAT comprises new radio, NR; wherein the first frequency band is allocated for at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one first terminal device, and wherein the second frequency band is allocated for at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one second terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one first terminal device comprises a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, of LTE.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one non-broadcast channel of the at least one second terminal device comprises a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, of NR.

4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein, The method further comprises: allocating a third frequency band (503b) for at least one broadcast channel of a first type of the at least one first terminal device and / or a sounding reference signal, SRS, of LTE, wherein the third frequency band is located at a fixed position within a frequency spectrum to be allocated by the network device; wherein the at least one broadcast channel of the first type of the at least one first terminal device comprises at least one of a cell reference signal, CRS, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, a physical control format indicator channel, PCIFICH, a synchronization signal block, SSB, a total radiated sensitivity, TRS, and a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS.

5. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein, The method further comprises: allocating a fourth frequency band (504b) for at least one broadcast channel of a first type of the at least one second terminal device and / or a sounding reference signal, SRS, of NR, wherein the fourth frequency band is located at another fixed position within the frequency spectrum to be allocated by the network device; wherein the at least one broadcast channel of the first type of the at least one second terminal device comprises at least one of a synchronization signal block, SSB, a total radiated sensitivity, TRS, and a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: allocating a fifth frequency band (505b) for at least one broadcast channel of a second type of the at least one first terminal device, wherein a position of the fifth frequency band is variable within the frequency spectrum to be allocated by the network device; wherein the fifth frequency band is directly adjacent to the third frequency band.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The at least one broadcast channel of the second type of the at least one first terminal device comprises at least a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, of LTE.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein, The method further comprises: allocate a sixth frequency band (506b) for at least one broadcast channel of a second type of the at least one second terminal device, wherein a position of the sixth frequency band is variable within a frequency spectrum to be allocated by the network device; wherein the sixth frequency band is directly adjacent to the fourth frequency band.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The at least one broadcast channel of the second type of the at least one second terminal device comprises at least a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, of NR.

10. The method of any one of claims 4, 6, and 7, wherein, The first frequency band (501b) is directly adjacent to the third frequency band (503b) or the fifth frequency band (505b).

11. The method of any one of claims 5, 8, and 9, wherein, The second frequency band (502b) is directly adjacent to the fourth frequency band (504b) or the sixth frequency band (506b).

12. The method of any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein, NR uses a different numerology than LTE.

13. A network device (600) comprising a processor (610) and a memory (620) configured to store instructions (630), wherein, The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the network device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A computer program product comprising program code portions for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 when the computer program product is executed by one or more computing devices.

14. A computer program product comprising program code portions for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 when the computer program product is executed by one or more computing devices.

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