Base Station Uplink Resource Allocation for MTC Traffic Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of terminal devices in wireless telecommunications networks leads to potential radio network congestion and interference, particularly during random access procedures, due to the limited number of available RA preambles and interference between PRACH and PUSCH/PUCCH transmissions, especially in scenarios with large numbers of machine-type communication (MTC) devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a base station allocates uplink resources to one terminal device in response to a random access procedure initiated by another, grouping terminal devices with similar traffic profiles to preemptively allocate resources and reduce the number of random access requests, thereby minimizing interference and congestion. The base station determines associations between terminal devices based on common characteristics like quality class indicators and traffic profiles, and transmits access denial messages to prevent unnecessary PRACH transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of terminal devices in the network is increased to support more services and coverage, then the network capacity and coverage area are improved, but radio network congestion and interference increase during random access procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of terminal devicesVSAvoidradio network congestion and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary grouping of terminal devices based on traffic profiles before random access procedures occur. By pre-identifying devices with similar traffic patterns and grouping them together, the system prepares resource allocation strategies in advance, allowing efficient handling of random access requests when multiple devices attempt to access simultaneously, thereby reducing congestion and interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes resource allocation parameters based on the traffic profiles of grouped terminal devices. By identifying devices with similar traffic characteristics and adjusting resource allocation accordingly, the base station optimizes the use of RA preambles and PRACH resources, reducing unnecessary collisions and interference while supporting a larger number of devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If resource allocation is performed individually for each terminal device during random access, then each device receives dedicated resources, but the number of random access requests and associated interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidinterference between PRACH and PUSCH/PUCCH transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station merges resource allocation decisions for grouped terminal devices with similar traffic profiles. Instead of processing each device's random access request independently, the system combines resource allocation for multiple devices in the same traffic group, reducing the number of individual PRACH transmissions and minimizing interference between simultaneous random access procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the traffic profile characteristics of one terminal device as a template or copy for other devices in the same group. By replicating resource allocation strategies based on representative device profiles, the base station reduces the computational overhead of individual resource allocation while maintaining appropriate resource distribution, thereby reducing overall random access interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If more RA preambles are allocated to handle increased device access, then the capacity to support more devices is improved, but the interference between PRACH and PUSCH/PUCCH transmissions worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity to support device accessVSAvoidinterference between PRACH and PUSCH/PUCCH
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts RA preamble allocation parameters based on the traffic profiles of terminal devices. By changing resource allocation parameters according to grouped device characteristics, the base station optimizes the balance between supporting increased device capacity and minimizing PRACH-PUSCH/PUCCH interference, rather than using fixed allocation schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The resource allocation system transitions from static to dynamic behavior by continuously monitoring terminal device traffic profiles and adjusting RA preamble allocation accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize capacity and interference trade-offs in real-time based on actual network conditions and device behavior patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2936901B1Base station and associated method for assigning uplink resources to terminal devices with a similar traffic profile
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2936901B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2936901B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2936901B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method of allocating radio resources for uplink transmissions in a wireless telecommunications system, the method comprising: a first terminal device communicating a request for an allocation of radio resources to a base station; the base station determining there is an association between the first terminal device and a second terminal device based on their having similar predicted traffic profiles for uplink data; and the base station establishing a radio resource allocation for the second terminal device based on the resources requested by the first terminal device, and consequently transmitting radio resource allocation messages to allocate radio resources to the first and the second terminal devices for respective uplink transmissions based on the request for an allocation of radio resources received from the first terminal device.