Cellular Resource Allocation for Non-2a·3b·5c Frequency Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular communication systems face inefficiencies in resource allocation due to certain combinations of time-frequency resources being unallocatable, leading to sub-optimal spectral efficiency, particularly in modern systems like LTE and 5G, where resource blocks not expressible as 2a·3b·5c result in unused resources.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves determining time-frequency resources by identifying a first number of frequency resources that are not expressible as 2a·3b·5c, and dividing them into a second and third number, where the second is expressible as 2a·3b·5c, with the third being used for spectrum extension or tone reservation to improve spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If time-frequency resources are allocated in units of physical resource blocks (PRB) with fixed granularity, then resource allocation is simplified and standardized, but some PRBs become unallocatable when the number of available resources cannot be expressed as 2a·3b·5c, leading to wasted resources and reduced spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency resources into two parts: a first number of frequency resources allocated using conventional PRB granularity (2a·3b·5c format), and a second number of frequency resources allocated using finer granularity (resource element level). This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple PRB-based allocation for most cases while utilizing remaining resources through fine-grained allocation, thereby resolving the contradiction between allocation simplicity and spectral efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of resource allocation by transitioning from coarse PRB-level allocation to fine resource element-level allocation for the remaining frequency resources. This dimensional change enables the system to utilize previously unallocatable resources without complicating the overall allocation framework, as the fine-grained allocation is applied only where necessary.
2Device complexity
If conventional PRB-based allocation is used, then allocation procedures remain standardized and simple, but peak data rates are reduced due to unused resource blocks, and spectral efficiency is sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing fine-grained resource element level allocation only for the remaining frequency resources that cannot be allocated using conventional PRB methods. The majority of resources continue to use simple PRB allocation, so the complexity increase is partial and only applies where necessary to maximize spectral efficiency without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of frequency resources is restricted to expressions of 2a·3b·5c, then DFT-S-OFDM processing is simplified and efficient, but resource utilization is reduced when the actual number of resources does not fit this pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments frequency resources into two categories: those that can be efficiently processed with DFT-S-OFDM (expressible as 2a·3b·5c) and those that cannot. The first category maintains efficient DFT processing, while the second category uses alternative allocation methods (resource element level allocation) to maximize utilization. This segmentation preserves DFT processing efficiency for the majority of resources while expanding overall resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the allocation parameter from PRB-level to resource element-level for the remaining frequency resources. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate any number of frequency resources, not just those expressible as 2a·3b·5c, thereby expanding resource utilization while maintaining DFT processing efficiency for the primary allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
This document discloses a solution for occupying time-frequency resources for a wireless transmission. According to an aspect, a method comprises: determining time-frequency resources in a channel configuration, wherein the time-frequency resources is a combination of a first number of frequency resources and a number of time resources, wherein the first number of frequency resources is defined in units of consecutive resource blocks each having a determined number of resource elements; determining whether or not the first number of frequency resources is expressible as 2a·3b·5c where [a, b, c] are non-negative integers, and in case the first number of frequency resources is not expressible as 2a·3b·5c, determining a second number of frequency resources and a third number of frequency resources in the first number of frequency resources, wherein the second number of frequency resources is expressible as 2a·3b·5c, wherein the third number of frequency resources is not overlapping with the second number of frequency resources; occupying the second number of frequency resources within the number of time resources with information symbols and occupying the third number of frequency resources within the number of time resources for a wireless transmission; and generating and causing the wireless transmission comprising the occupied frequency resources.