HARQ Process Allocation for DMC Links in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing direct mobile communication (DMC) links between user equipments (UEs) without incurring unnecessary cost or overhead, particularly in allocating subframes and HARQ processes for DMC groups, which affects traffic offloading and network resource management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for operating a communications controller that allocates subframes and HARQ processes for DMC links, allowing UEs to manage their own HARQ processes independently, with parameters signaling the maximum number of HARQ processes based on the number of UEs or subframes, enabling efficient resource allocation and reduced overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communications controller manages HARQ processes for DMC links, then communication reliability is improved, but network overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to autonomously manage their own HARQ processes for DMC links without requiring the communications controller to directly manage these processes. The UE determines HARQ process numbers based on allocated subframes and derives parameters independently, allowing the system to maintain reliability through self-managed error correction while reducing network overhead and controller complexity.
2Productivity
If more subframes are allocated to DMC groups, then DMC performance is improved, but available resources for cellular UEs decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the available subframes into distinct sets: one set allocated to DMC groups and another set reserved for cellular UEs. This segmentation allows the system to dedicate specific time resources to DMC operations, improving DMC performance through guaranteed resource allocation, while simultaneously preserving sufficient resources for cellular communications, thus resolving the resource competition between the two communication modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent HARQ processes are used for DMC and cellular transmissions, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments HARQ process management into two independent domains: cellular HARQ processes managed by the controller and DMC HARQ processes managed autonomously by UEs. Each domain operates with its own process numbers and timing, allowing flexible resource allocation for both cellular and DMC transmissions. The independence of these segmented HARQ systems enables adaptability while managing complexity through clear separation of management responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic HARQ process allocation where the number of DMC HARQ processes is determined based on the number of allocated subframes and the size of the DMC group. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt the HARQ process count to actual resource allocation, providing flexibility in resource management while avoiding the overhead of pre-configuring fixed numbers of processes for all possible scenarios.
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AI summary
An embodiment of a system for operating a communications controller for a group of user equipments engaged in a DMC link in a wireless communications system is provided. The communications controller is configured to allocate a set of subframes in one periodic group of subframes to the group of UEs for the DMC link, signal the set of allocated subframes to the group of UEs, and transmit parameters related to a group of HARQ processes of the DMC link. In an embodiment, the communication controller uses HARQ processes for cellular UE transmission that are determined independently from HARQ processes of the group of HARQ processes for the DMC link, and the parameters are configured to enable the group of UEs to manage the group of HARQ processes for the DMC link.