5G NR Data Communication Apparatus Shared Resource Grid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G NR releases lack support for broadcast/multicast features, which are essential for improving system efficiency and user experience, but their implementation should have a limited impact on user equipment and require flexibility in resource allocation to adapt to content requests in real time.

Innovation Solution

A data communication apparatus that transmits unicast and shared data using a common transmission resource element time-frequency grid, allowing for efficient allocation and switching between casting modes with low effort, while maintaining good latency, high data rates, and low overhead by signaling dedicated identifiers for resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If broadcast/multicast features are implemented in 5G NR, then system efficiency and user experience are improved, but implementation complexity and impact on user equipment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the data communication apparatus to perform multiple functions - both unicast and shared data transmission - using a common transmission resource element time-frequency grid. This allows the system to support broadcast/multicast features while reusing existing unicast infrastructure, thereby improving system efficiency without proportionally increasing implementation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges unicast and shared data transmission by allocating both types of data within the same transmission resource element time-frequency grid. This consolidation approach improves resource utilization and system efficiency while avoiding the need for separate dedicated infrastructure for broadcast/multicast, thus limiting the increase in implementation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If broadcast/multicast features are implemented, then user experience is improved, but user equipment cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoiduser equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus provides multi-functionality by handling both unicast and shared data through common transmission resources, allowing user equipment to benefit from broadcast/multicast capabilities using the same receiver architecture designed for unicast, thereby improving user experience without significantly increasing user equipment complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If separate resource allocation for shared data is implemented, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but flexibility and switching speed between casting modes decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible and dynamic allocation of time-frequency resources within the common grid for shared data transmission. The system can adaptively switch between unicast and shared data modes based on real-time content requests and traffic conditions, maintaining both high data transmission efficiency and rapid switching capability between casting modes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If dedicated identifiers are signaled for shared data, then resource allocation precision is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation precisionVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses common control channels and resource allocation mechanisms for both unicast and shared data, signaling dedicated identifiers within the existing framework. This approach provides precise resource allocation for shared data while reusing existing signaling infrastructure, thereby limiting the increase in signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230188271A1Data communication apparatuses, methods for data communication, communication apparatuses and methods for communication using shared data

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

Embodiments according to the first aspect of the invention comprise a data communication apparatus, e.g. a gNB or a base station, for transmitting unicast data to one or more other data communication apparatuses, e.g. to one or more UEs, and for transmitting shared data, e.g. multicast data or broadcast data, to a plurality of other data communication apparatuses, e.g. to a plurality of UEs, e.g. within a frame comprising a two-dimensional grid of transmission resource element positions. Furthermore, the data communication apparatus is configured to transmit unicast data and shared data using a common transmission resource element, e.g. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) subcarrier or e.g. OFDM symbol, time-frequency grid, e.g. using a common subcarrier spacing and/or using a common slot length and/or using a common OFDM symbol length.