D2D ProSe Resource Allocation via Cluster Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current device-to-device proximity service (D2D ProSe) in LTE systems faces challenges with resource contention and long waiting times for time-frequency resource allocation, especially in scenarios with a large number of user equipment, leading to inefficient signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

The method involves allocating distinct time-frequency resource sets to different user clusters, allowing each cluster to use unique resources, thereby avoiding contention and reducing waiting times for resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dynamic scheduling mode is used to transmit signals on fixed time-frequency resources, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but resource contention and waiting time increase when multiple user equipments need to be scheduled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidwaiting time for resource allocation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time-frequency resources into multiple resource pools, where each resource pool is dedicated to specific user clusters. This segmentation eliminates contention between different user groups by providing separate resource allocations, thus reducing waiting time while maintaining overall system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring resource pools and pre-selecting user clusters before actual signal transmission. The base station prepares the resource allocation structure in advance, so when multiple UEs need scheduling, the resource division is already established, eliminating the need for real-time contention and reducing waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple user equipments are scheduled simultaneously on the same resource pool, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but resource contention increases leading to longer waiting times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidwaiting time for resource access
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single resource pool into multiple separate resource pools, each serving specific user clusters. This segmentation maintains high resource utilization within each pool while eliminating inter-user contention, as each cluster has dedicated resources without competing with others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of user cluster grouping to organize resource access. By adding the cluster dimension, the system can efficiently utilize resources within each cluster while avoiding contention between clusters, effectively resolving the trade-off between utilization and waiting time.

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

3Device complexity

If a single resource pool is shared by all user clusters, then system complexity is reduced, but resource contention occurs between different user clusters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidresource contention between user clusters
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the shared resource pool into multiple dedicated resource pools for different user clusters. While this increases structural complexity slightly, it completely eliminates resource contention between clusters, providing a clean separation that simplifies resource management and access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces user cluster grouping as an intermediary layer between the base station and individual user equipments. This intermediary structure organizes UEs into clusters that share dedicated resources, reducing direct contention and simplifying the scheduling process by managing resources at the cluster level rather than individual UE level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2999285B1Method for transmitting signal in device to device proximity service, base station and user equipment
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2999285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2999285B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(d)
  • EP2999285B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for transmitting a signal in a device-to-device proximity service D2D ProSe, a base station, and a user equipment, where the method includes: allocating, by a base station, at least one time-frequency resource set to each user cluster in N user clusters in a cell covered by the base station, where at least two time-frequency resource sets in M time-frequency resource sets allocated by the base station to the N user clusters are different; and transmitting, by the base station, Rth information to the Rth user cluster in the N user clusters, where the Rth information is used to indicate an Rth time-frequency resource set that is allocated by the base station to the Rth user cluster and used for transmitting a signal, where a value of R is 1,..., N separately.