Clustered Ad Hoc Link Scheduling with Hybrid NOMA and TDMA

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ad hoc networks face suboptimal throughput due to conventional TDMA schemes that do not account for simultaneous user transmissions, while NOMA techniques are inefficient without complex power management and may not guarantee minimum data rates.

Innovation Solution

A method combining TDMA and NOMA access techniques by partitioning communication links based on throughput criteria, using iterative algorithms and linear encoders/decoders to optimize network performance with minimal complexity and information exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TDMA access is used, then interference between communication links is eliminated, but network throughput is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference eliminationVSAvoidnetwork throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The set of communication links is segmented into two subsets: one subset uses TDMA access to guarantee interference-free communication, while the other subset uses NOMA access to maximize throughput. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both interference elimination and high throughput for different links.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the access mode parameter for each communication link based on channel conditions, quality metrics, and throughput requirements. Links with favorable conditions can switch to NOMA for higher throughput, while links requiring reliability remain on TDMA.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If NOMA access is used, then network throughput is increased, but interference management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidinterference management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinator node acts as an intermediary that centralizes the complex interference management functions. It performs quality assessment, determines optimal access modes, and allocates resources for NOMA links. This centralization simplifies the overall system complexity by consolidating management functions in a single node rather than requiring distributed complexity across all nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If NOMA access is used, then multiple users can transmit simultaneously, but minimum data rate guarantee is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous transmissionsVSAvoidminimum data rate guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Communication links are segmented into two groups: those requiring minimum data rate guarantees are assigned TDMA access, while those prioritizing simultaneous transmission capability are assigned NOMA access. This segmentation ensures that reliability-critical links maintain guaranteed performance while throughput-critical links utilize NOMA's simultaneous transmission benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If hybrid NOMA/TDMA access is implemented, then network throughput is optimized, but information exchange requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidinformation exchange
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinator node serves as an information exchange intermediary that collects quality metrics from all nodes, performs centralized optimization calculations, and distributes access mode assignments. This centralized information gathering and distribution minimizes the total information exchange required compared to distributed approaches, as all decision-making information converges at the coordinator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4482243B1Hybrid noma/tdma communications method for clustered ad hoc networks
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 THALES SA
  • EP4482243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4482243B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4482243B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a multiple access mode and scheduling for communication links in an ad hoc network comprising a plurality of nodes grouped into one or more clusters. It comprises: • a step of transmitting information relating to the quality of the communication links to a decision node; • a step of partitioning the communication links between those using NOMA-type multiple access and those using TDMA-type multiple access, based on a throughput criterion; • a third step of determining a temporal schedule for the communication links, respecting the calculated multiple access types; • a fourth step of transmitting the partitioning information and the temporal scheduling information to the nodes involved in the communication links. The invention also relates to a decision node implementing the method.