Compact Burst Mapping for GSM Extended Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current GSM technology faces challenges in extended coverage scenarios due to frequency errors and signal distortion caused by prolonged transmission times, which impair data reception and transmission in Machine Type Communication (MTC) networks, especially in environments with severe radio signal attenuation.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves compact burst mapping, where radio blocks are remapped onto TDMA frames to minimize signal distortion by transmitting bursts carrying the same information as close in time as possible, reducing the separation between first and last burst repetitions and improving spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If repeated radio block transmission is used to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but frequency error and signal distortion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node pre-configures and signals the burst mapping pattern to the mobile station before transmission begins. This preliminary action allows the mobile station to correctly interpret the burst positions and maintain accurate frequency estimation, preventing frequency error from increasing despite prolonged transmission time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temporal parameter of burst transmission by mapping bursts to specific time slots within a defined burst mapping pattern. This parameter change optimizes the distribution of repeated radio blocks across time, reducing the effective separation between bursts and minimizing frequency error accumulation while maintaining extended coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If prolonged transmission time is used for repeated radio blocks, then coverage is extended, but frequency error increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission timeVSAvoidfrequency estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network node implements periodic transmission of repeated radio blocks according to a predefined burst mapping pattern. This periodic action creates regular intervals between bursts, allowing the mobile station to use each burst as a reference point for frequency estimation, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the overall prolonged transmission duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The burst mapping pattern is predetermined and signaled to the mobile station in advance. This preliminary configuration enables the mobile station to anticipate burst positions and apply appropriate frequency correction factors, preventing frequency error from accumulating during the prolonged transmission period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If bursts are transmitted with large separation, then coverage is improved, but spectral efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the temporal parameter of burst transmission by implementing a compact burst mapping pattern that minimizes the separation between repeated bursts while maintaining coverage extension. This parameter optimization allows bursts to be transmitted closer in time, improving spectral efficiency without sacrificing the coverage benefits of repeated transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending coverage solely by increasing time separation between bursts, the invention introduces a dimensional optimization in the time-domain mapping structure. By carefully designing the burst mapping pattern across multiple time slots and radio blocks, the system achieves coverage extension through structured repetition rather than simple time extension, thereby improving spectral efficiency.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3158673B1Methods and apparatuses for repeated radio block transmission
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3158673B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3158673B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3158673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method performed by a mobile station for repeated radio block transmission in a wireless communications network. The mobile station maps (502) bits of a burst of data comprised in a radio block, to one or more assigned Time Slots, TS, in a first TDMA frame and to the one or more assigned TSs in a second TDMA frame. The second time frame is consecutive of the first time frame. The mobile station transmits (503) the burst of data in the uplink.