D2D Grant Mechanism for Wireless Resource Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing resource allocation for device-to-device (D2D) communications, particularly in ensuring seamless communication both in-coverage and out-of-coverage scenarios, and in maintaining system complexity and communication flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a D2D grant mechanism that utilizes industry standard channels, such as the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), to schedule radio resources for D2D communications, allowing wireless terminals to dynamically allocate and assign resources from a pre-configured pool, ensuring efficient use and minimizing interference with other network communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If D2D communication is enabled without network infrastructure, then communication flexibility and coverage are improved, but system complexity and resource management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pre-configured resource pool as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies D2D resource management. Instead of complex dynamic allocation, the network pre-allocates specific time-frequency resources for D2D communication, which devices can autonomously access. This mediator structure reduces the complexity of real-time resource coordination while maintaining flexible D2D communication capability both in-coverage and out-of-coverage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary resource configuration where the network node pre-allocates and configures resource pools for D2D communication before actual D2D sessions occur. This preliminary action includes defining time-frequency resources, power levels, and other parameters in advance, allowing devices to immediately engage in D2D communication without complex real-time negotiation, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If dynamic resource allocation is implemented for D2D communications, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but interference with other network communications increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the available spectrum and time resources into dedicated D2D resource pools and traditional cellular communication resources. By dividing the resource space into distinct segments with clear boundaries, the system enables efficient D2D resource utilization within allocated segments while preventing interference to other network communications in separate segments. This segmentation approach maintains high resource utilization for D2D without compromising overall network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If seamless D2D communication is ensured in both in-coverage and out-of-coverage scenarios, then communication reliability is improved, but resource management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidresource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal resource pool configuration that serves dual purposes: supporting D2D communication both in-coverage and out-of-coverage scenarios with the same pre-configured resources. The network node configures resource pools that devices can autonomously access regardless of network presence, eliminating the need for separate resource management mechanisms for different coverage scenarios. This multi-functional approach enhances communication reliability while avoiding the complexity of maintaining separate resource allocation systems.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3120468B1Scheduling wireless device-to-device communications
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 SHARP KK
  • EP3120468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3120468B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3120468B1 patent drawingFigure 1B

AI summary

A radio access node (22) which communicates over a radio interface (24) with a first wireless terminal (261). The radio access node (22) generates a device-to-device (D2D) grant (54) which specifies radio resources that the first wireless terminal (261) is permitted to use for device-to-device (D2D) communication with a second wireless terminal (second wireless terminal 262). The radio access node (22) transmits the subframe (S) including the D2D grant (54) to the first wireless terminal (261). The first wireless terminal (261) transmits data (56) to the second wireless terminal using radio resources permitted by the D2D grant. In an example embodiment and mode the D2D grant is included in a downlink control channel such as PDCCH; in another example embodiment and mode the D2D grant is included in a downlink shared channel (PDSCH).