Autonomous Radio Resource Allocation in Shared Frequency Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

In radio communication systems with shared frequency bands, base stations have limited radio resources, leading to restricted mobility and complex network infrastructure due to the need for inter-base station communication to dynamically allocate resources, which cannot adapt to varying application needs.

Innovation Solution

Each base station autonomously estimates and allocates radio resources based on quality-of-service parameters, using over-amplification of predefined radio elements to determine occupation rates and select underutilized radio blocks for allocation, allowing for dynamic and independent management of resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If base stations share fixed frequency channels in a predetermined frequency band, then each base station has limited radio resources allocated to it, but the number of base stations that can establish links with mobile stations is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each base station autonomously senses the occupation rates of radio blocks and allocates radio resources independently without requiring dialog with other base stations. The base station itself performs the functions of detecting available resources and making allocation decisions, eliminating the need for complex inter-base station communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical dialog system between base stations with a signal-based sensing mechanism. Instead of using wire connections or radio paths for resource negotiation, base stations use signal processing to sense occupation rates of radio blocks directly from the shared frequency band, substituting physical communication infrastructure with electromagnetic field sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If base stations implement dialog through wire connection or radio path to dynamically allocate radio resources, then radio resources can be shared more flexibly, but the network infrastructure becomes more complex and mobility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic resource allocation capabilityVSAvoidsystem implementation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each base station independently senses radio block occupation rates and allocates resources autonomously based on sensed information and quality-of-service parameters. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex dialog protocols and inter-base station communication infrastructure, simplifying system implementation while maintaining dynamic resource allocation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The base station continuously senses occupation rates of radio blocks and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust resource allocation decisions. The sensing mechanism provides real-time feedback on resource usage, enabling adaptive allocation without requiring complex negotiation protocols between base stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If base stations use fixed frequency channel allocation, then network infrastructure is simpler, but radio resources cannot adapt to varying application needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork infrastructure simplicityVSAvoidresource allocation adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation by allowing base stations to sense occupation rates of radio blocks and allocate resources based on current system conditions and quality-of-service requirements. This transforms the static frequency channel allocation into a dynamic system that adapts to varying application needs while maintaining infrastructure simplicity through autonomous base station operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base station changes allocation parameters (radio block selection, allocation timing) based on sensed occupation rates and quality-of-service parameters. This allows the system to adapt resource allocation to varying application needs by modifying allocation parameters dynamically without changing the underlying fixed frequency band structure, maintaining infrastructure simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2543220B1Radio resource allocation method in a radio communication system
Publication Date: 2016.12.28 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS
  • EP2543220B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2543220B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2543220B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Radio blocs (BRjp) shared in a predetermined frequency band during a periodic radio frame (TRi) between base stations (BS) are allocated to applications in base stations and mobile stations. Each radio block spreading on frequencies (Cj) of said band during a time slot (Mdt) of the radio frame and can be associated with an uplink or a downlink. To meet quality-of-service parameters required by an application, a base station estimates occupation rates of the radio blocks during consecutive radio frames, and allocates to the application at least one radio block having an occupation rate less than a threshold and a periodicity expressed in period of frame and depending on the required quality-of-service parameters. The base station are autonomous for the radio block allocations.