Channel Quality Reporting Method for NB-IoT Resource Utilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In NB-IoT systems, the network device lacks accurate information about downlink channel quality, leading to inefficient resource utilization and scheduling policies due to the limited feedback from terminal devices, particularly when channel quality is extremely good, as a repetition number of 1 cannot distinguish between good and excellent conditions.

Innovation Solution

A channel quality reporting method where the terminal device determines a first index corresponding to the channel quality and sends it along with indication information, allowing the network device to accurately determine the field occupation, thereby improving resource utilization and ensuring backward compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the terminal device reports a repetition number of 1 when channel quality is extremely good, then the feedback format remains simple and resource utilization is maintained, but the channel quality feedback precision deteriorates because repetition number 1 cannot distinguish between good and excellent channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel quality feedback precisionVSAvoidfeedback format complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism is segmented into two distinct parts: the original repetition number field and a new indication information field. The repetition number field maintains backward compatibility by reporting the minimum repetition number, while the indication information field provides additional granularity to distinguish between good and excellent channel conditions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher measurement precision without significantly increasing overall feedback complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to the feedback by introducing indication information that operates alongside the repetition number. This indication information provides an additional layer of detail about channel quality, transforming the feedback from a single-dimensional repetition number report to a multi-dimensional report that includes both repetition number and quality indication, thereby enabling distinction between good and excellent conditions.

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

2Productivity

If the network device uses repetition number to determine downlink scheduling policy, then the scheduling is simplified, but the resource utilization efficiency deteriorates when channel quality is extremely good because the network device cannot identify opportunities for more aggressive resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidchannel quality information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the feedback mechanism by adding indication information that provides more detailed channel quality insights to the network device. This improved feedback allows the network device to make more informed scheduling decisions, identifying when channel conditions are excellent and can therefore allocate resources more aggressively, thus improving resource utilization efficiency while reducing information loss about actual channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system introduces new feedback formats to improve channel quality reporting accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the backward compatibility deteriorates because existing network devices cannot interpret the new feedback format

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel quality reporting accuracyVSAvoidbackward compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the feedback mechanism with multi-functionality in mind. The indication information field is structured to be universally interpretable: existing network devices can ignore it or interpret it as reserved bits, while new network devices can fully utilize it for enhanced channel quality assessment. This universal design allows the system to improve measurement precision while maintaining backward compatibility across different device generations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3993297B1Channel quality reporting method, device and system
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3993297B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3993297B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3993297B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a channel quality reporting method, an apparatus, and a system, to accurately feed back channel quality and improve resource utilization. A terminal device determines a first index corresponding to the channel quality, and sends the first index and indication information to a network device, where the first index occupies a first field, the first index is an index in an index set corresponding to a case in which a repetition number of a physical downlink control channel and/or a physical downlink data channel is a first repetition number, and the indication information indicates that the first field is occupied by an index corresponding to the first repetition number. The network device determines, based on the indication information, that the first field is occupied by the index corresponding to the first repetition number, and determines that the index corresponding to the first repetition number is the first index, where the first field can be occupied by the repetition number of the physical downlink control channel or the index corresponding to the first repetition number, and the indication information can indicate that the first field is occupied by the repetition number of the physical downlink control channel or the index corresponding to the first repetition number.