Distributed RU Tone Mapping for Power and Frequency Diversity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems inefficiently utilize transmit power due to suboptimal configurations of resource units (RUs), particularly in terms of data and pilot tone locations, leading to reduced power spectral density and frequency range limitations.

Innovation Solution

Distribute resource units across a channel bandwidth by mapping data tones into distributed groups and pilot tones to edges or center, maintaining defined spacing, thereby optimizing frequency diversity and power utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If resource units are configured with conventional tone plans, then the configuration is simple and compatible with existing standards, but transmit power utilization is inefficient and frequency diversity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmit power utilizationVSAvoidRU configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource unit tones into distinct functional groups: data tones, pilot tones, and edge tones. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each group's placement and spacing, enabling efficient power utilization across the channel bandwidth while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different spacing characteristics to different tone groups. Data tones use one spacing pattern, pilot tones use another spacing pattern, and edge tones have specific placement rules. This localized optimization of tone spacing enables peak power transmission within regulatory limits while maintaining compatibility with existing OFDMA frameworks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If data tones are concentrated in a narrow frequency range, then the configuration is simple, but frequency diversity is reduced and communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidtone distribution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent distributes data tones across the frequency dimension by spacing them apart according to specific rules rather than concentrating them contiguously. This dimensional distribution approach enhances frequency diversity and communication reliability while maintaining systematic configuration rules that prevent excessive complexity.

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

3Use of energy by moving object

If pilot tones are placed adjacent to data tones, then the RU structure is compact and simple, but interference increases and power spectral density optimization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower spectral densityVSAvoidpilot tone placement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts pilot tones from immediate adjacency to data tones and places them at designated positions with specific spacing requirements. This separation reduces interference between pilot and data tones while optimizing power spectral density distribution. The systematic placement rules maintain configuration simplicity despite the enhanced spacing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Power

If resource units use conventional tone plans, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but peak power transmission within regulatory limits is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeak power transmissionVSAvoidcompatibility with existing standards
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal tone plan structure that serves multiple functions: it enables peak power transmission within regulatory limits, maintains compatibility with existing OFDMA frameworks, and provides a systematic basis for future enhancements. The structured approach with defined spacing rules and tone groupings allows the system to adapt to different regulatory requirements while maintaining core functionality.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4055763B1Distributed resource unit configurations
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4055763B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4055763B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4055763B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for configuring tones for a distributed resource unit (RU) across a channel bandwidth to improve frequency diversity and available transmit power. A distributed RU may include a set of tones that may be allocated across a bandwidth that is greater than a bandwidth of the aggregate quantity of tones. The set of tones may include a set of data tones grouped into contiguous groups of one or more data tones and a set of non-contiguous pilot tones. The data tones may be mapped to useful tones over a center portion of a half-bandwidth of the channel. The pilot tones may be mapped near edge tones at edges of the channel bandwidth or near direct current tones at a center of the channel bandwidth. A system bandwidth may include one or more channel bandwidths associated with distributed RUs.