Communication Frame Structure for Latency and Overhead Trade-off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power transmission systems face inefficiencies due to excessive uplink-downlink switching overheads, which are not optimally managed for services with varying latency requirements, such as distribution automation and online monitoring in power grids.

Innovation Solution

The system employs different frame structures in distinct frequency bands to accommodate latency-sensitive and latency-insensitive services, with shorter frame lengths in one band for low latency and longer frame lengths in another to reduce overheads, allowing for efficient transmission of both service types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a short frame length is used, then transmission latency is reduced and uplink-downlink switching is more frequent, but system overheads increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidsystem overheads
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the operating frequency band into multiple frequency bands, with each band using a different frame structure (first frame structure with shorter length for low latency, second frame structure with longer length for lower overhead). This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously support both latency-sensitive and latency-insensitive services without compromise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different frame structures are assigned to different frequency bands based on service requirements. Latency-sensitive services receive short frames in specific bands, while latency-insensitive services receive long frames in other bands, optimizing each band's characteristics for its intended service type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If frequent uplink-downlink switching is performed, then latency-sensitive services are supported, but system overheads account for 20% of total communication time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink-downlink switching speedVSAvoideffective communication time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects different frame structures based on service type requirements. For latency-sensitive services, frequent switching is enabled with short frames; for latency-insensitive services, switching frequency is reduced with long frames, making the system adaptable to different operational demands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3512254B1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3512254B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3512254B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3512254B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides a communications method and device. The communications method includes: determining a first frequency band and a second frequency band in an operating frequency band; and transmitting a first-type frame in the first frequency band, and transmitting a second-type frame in the second frequency band, where the first-type frame is used to carry a first-type service, the second-type frame is used to carry a second-type service, and the second-type frame and the first-type frame have different frame structures. Therefore, in embodiments of the present invention, different frame structures are used in different frequency bands in the operating frequency band, and different services are carried by using the different frame structures, thereby meeting transmission requirements of different types of services.