5G Frame Structure Enhancing Spectrum Utilization and Random Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current duplex modes in 5G wireless communication systems, such as FDD and TDD, are inflexible and complex, leading to limitations in spectrum utilization and performance, particularly in random access preamble transmission, which affects scheduling efficiency and user equipment (UE) access experience.

Innovation Solution

A new frame structure that combines the advantages of traditional time division duplex (TDD) and frequency division duplex (FDD) modes, incorporating a control channel, anchor subband, and data transmission band with guard bands, to enhance scheduling flexibility and spectrum utilization, and a method for determining random access preamble transmit power that adapts to various preamble formats and carrier ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional FDD or TDD duplex modes are used in 5G systems, then uplink and downlink communication can be established, but spectrum utilization is limited and scheduling flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidspectrum utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency spectrum is segmented into multiple subbands, with specific subbands designated for uplink and downlink transmissions. This segmentation allows flexible allocation of frequency resources, enabling the system to adapt to varying traffic demands while improving spectrum utilization efficiency compared to traditional FDD or TDD modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The duplex mode is made dynamic by allowing the network to flexibly configure uplink and downlink subbands based on real-time traffic conditions. The frame structure supports dynamic switching between different uplink-downlink configurations, providing adaptability that static FDD or TDD systems cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If FDD mode is used with paired frequency resources, then uplink and downlink communication can be performed simultaneously, but spectrum resources are wasted when one direction has no traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidspectrum resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of frequency allocation dynamically. Instead of fixed paired frequency resources in FDD, the network can adjust which subbands are allocated for uplink or downlink based on actual traffic needs, thereby reducing spectrum resource waste while maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If TDD mode is used with time division, then spectrum resources are utilized more efficiently, but scheduling complexity increases and access delay occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension of flexibility by combining frequency-domain subband division with configurable time-domain structures. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to achieve efficient spectrum utilization without the scheduling complexity of traditional TDD, as the frequency domain provides an additional resource dimension for management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If traditional random access preamble transmission is used, then UE can access the network, but access success probability is low and access delay is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access success probabilityVSAvoidaccess delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple random access preamble resources across different subbands and time slots. This allows UEs to have more options available in advance, increasing the probability of successful access and reducing delay by avoiding repeated access attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4054274B1Method and apparatus for communication based on frame structure
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4054274B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4054274B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4054274B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method by performed by a user equipment, UE, in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a base station, random access configuration including information of a physical random access channel, PRACH-configuration index indicating a preamble format among a plurality of formats; setting a target power based on an initial power, a delta-preamble value, a power ramping step configured, and a power ramping counter; and transmitting, to the base station, a random access preamble based on the target power, wherein the delta-preamble value is associated with the preamble format and a subcarrier spacing.