Downlink Data Transmission Using Time-Division Multiplexing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-frequency communications systems face a bottleneck in system throughput due to limited scheduling degree of freedom and long scheduling delays, especially in scenarios with high user density, as they rely on frequency-division multiplexing which restricts the use of narrower beams for signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

Implementing time-division multiplexing within a single transmission time interval, where a wide beam is used for control signals and narrow beams are used for data signals, allowing for more targeted transmission and beam switching, thereby enhancing scheduling flexibility and overall system throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frequency-division multiplexing is used in high-frequency communications systems, then system bandwidth is increased and transmission rate is improved, but scheduling degree of freedom is limited and system throughput encounters a bottleneck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidscheduling degree of freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission time interval into multiple slots, with control signals transmitted in earlier slots and data signals transmitted in later slots. This temporal segmentation allows the system to switch from wide beams for control to narrow beams for data, thereby increasing scheduling flexibility and system throughput without being constrained by frequency-division multiplexing limitations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from frequency-domain multiplexing to time-domain multiplexing, adding a temporal dimension to the resource allocation strategy. By utilizing different time slots for control and data transmission with different beam widths, the system achieves higher scheduling degree of freedom and overcomes the throughput bottleneck imposed by traditional frequency-division approaches

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

2Area of stationary object

If wide beams are used for control signals, then coverage area is increased and signal stability is improved, but transmission precision and targeting capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidtransmission precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the transmission process into distinct phases: control signal transmission using wide beams for broad coverage and stability, followed by data signal transmission using narrow beams for precise targeting. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize its beam width according to its specific requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control signals are transmitted first in the time domain to establish coverage and provide scheduling information, preparing the system for subsequent precise data transmission. This preliminary action with wide beams enables the later narrow-beam data transmission to be more effective and targeted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If narrow beams are used for data signals, then transmission precision and power gain are improved, but coverage area is reduced and beam switching complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission precisionVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the coverage-area limitation of narrow beams by utilizing the time domain dimension. Multiple narrow beams can be sequentially transmitted in different time slots, collectively covering the entire service area while maintaining the precision and power gain benefits of narrow-beam transmission

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

Solution Approach 2:

Wide-beam control signals are transmitted first to establish coverage and provide scheduling information, eliminating the need for narrow beams to provide broad coverage. This preliminary coverage establishment allows subsequent narrow-beam data transmission to focus solely on achieving high precision and power gain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If control signals and data signals are transmitted simultaneously in the same time slot, then transmission efficiency is maintained, but scheduling flexibility and beam switching capability are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission time interval into multiple slots, allocating earlier slots for control signals and later slots for data signals. This temporal segmentation enables the system to switch beam widths according to transmission requirements while maintaining high overall transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic beam switching capability by transmitting control and data signals at different time slots. This allows the system to adaptively adjust beam width based on transmission needs - using wide beams for control and narrow beams for data - thereby achieving both high transmission efficiency and high scheduling flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3755101B1Downlink data transmission method and device
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3755101B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3755101B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3755101B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention provides a downlink data transmission method, including: using a time-division multiplexing transmission mode in one transmission time interval; sending, by using a wide beam, a control signal to a user served in the current transmission time interval; and grouping users and sending data signals to different user groups by using different narrow beams. In one transmission time interval, time-division multiplexing is used, and a wide beam and a narrow beam are respectively used to transmit a control signal and a data signal. This can avoid a throughput bottleneck resulting from use of a transmission scheme that is based on frequency-division multiplexing only.