Discovery Resource Time-Frequency Hopping via Virtual Expansion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In D2D communication, existing time-frequency hopping methods either lead to imbalanced signal strength between transmit and receive ends or fail to optimize signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in inefficient resource utilization and signal interference.

Innovation Solution

A method involving frequency-domain virtual expansion and virtual time-frequency hopping, where terminals determine virtual discovery resources through preset multiplexing factors, allowing for dynamic time-frequency hopping based on a virtual resource pool to optimize resource allocation and reduce simultaneous usage of the same real discovery resource.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If deterministic time-frequency hopping solution is used, then signal combination advantage is maintained, but multiple terminals may unlimitedly use the same real discovery resource causing interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal combination advantageVSAvoiddiscovery signal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual dimension by performing frequency-domain virtual expansion on the real discovery resource pool. Terminals perform time-frequency hopping in this virtual expanded resource pool rather than directly in the real resource pool. This dimensional transformation allows multiple terminals to have different hopping patterns that eventually map to different real resources, reducing collision probability while maintaining the deterministic hopping structure needed for signal combination.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the resource pool by introducing a frequency domain expansion factor. The virtual discovery resource pool has more resources than the real pool, with the expansion ratio determined by the frequency division multiplexing factor. This parameter change allows terminals to distribute their hopping patterns across a larger virtual space, reducing the probability of mapping to the same real resource and thus reducing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If non-deterministic time-frequency hopping solution is used, then resource utilization is improved, but receive end cannot determine time-frequency locations to combine discovery signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidsignal combination capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs frequency-domain virtual expansion preliminarily before time-frequency hopping. The base station configures the frequency division multiplexing factor and the virtual resource pool structure in advance. Terminals use predetermined hopping patterns based on their IDs to select virtual resources. This preliminary structuring ensures that even though hopping appears random, the receive end can predict and determine the time-frequency locations for signal combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency-domain virtual expansion is performed, then probability of multiple terminals using same real discovery resource is lowered, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource collision probabilityVSAvoidvirtual expansion processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual time-frequency hopping process is self-service in that each terminal independently performs the hopping based on its own ID and the pre-configured virtual resource pool structure. Terminals autonomously determine their hopping patterns and selected resources without requiring complex coordination or signaling with the base station during operation. This self-service approach reduces the actual system complexity despite the virtual expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3101953B1Discovery resource time-frequency jumping method and terminal
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3101953B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3101953B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3101953B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a discovery resource time-frequency hopping method and a terminal, where the terminal includes: a resource determining unit, configured to determine a real discovery resource in a real discovery resource pool; a frequency-domain expansion unit, configured to: perform frequency-domain virtual expansion on the real discovery resource pool according to a preset frequency division multiplexing factor value or a frequency division multiplexing factor value broadcast by a base station, and determine a virtual discovery resource in a virtual discovery resource pool corresponding to the real discovery resource pool; a time-frequency hopping unit, configured to perform, according to a preset time-frequency hopping solution based on the virtual discovery resource pool or a time-frequency hopping solution that is based on the virtual discovery resource pool and that is broadcast by the base station, virtual time-frequency hopping on a correspondence of the determined virtual discovery resource in the virtual discovery resource pool; and a signal sending unit, configured to send a discovery signal by using a real discovery resource that corresponds to a virtual discovery resource which is occupied after the virtual time-frequency hopping. By means of the present invention, an advantage of combination can be maintained, and a probability of sending, by multiple terminals, discovery signals by unlimitedly using a same real discovery resource can be lowered.