Downlink Grant Resource Allocation in Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of user equipment (UEs) and the growing amount of downlink data and control information in cellular networks require more efficient use of finite radio resources for effective communication.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for efficiently transmitting and receiving downlink signals by utilizing resource units with specific assignment information, where a base station transmits a downlink grant on one resource unit and detects uplink or downlink data on another, allowing for implicit resource assignment and improved resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the base station transmits separate downlink grants and data on different resource units, then the control information can be clearly distinguished, but the resource utilization efficiency decreases due to increased overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines downlink grants for multiple UEs into a single shared resource unit, allowing multiple control messages to be transmitted together. This merging approach reduces the total number of resource units required for control information transmission, thereby improving resource utilization while maintaining clear distinction between different grants through UE-specific identifiers within the shared resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal downlink grant structure that can serve multiple UEs simultaneously within a single resource unit. This multi-functional approach allows the same resource unit to carry control information for different UEs, increasing the efficiency of resource usage while maintaining the ability to address and manage individual UE communications through embedded identifiers.
2Productivity
If the base station serves more user equipments in the same resource region, then the network capacity increases, but the amount of control information and downlink data to be transmitted increases, leading to resource exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges downlink grants for multiple UEs into a single shared resource unit, reducing the total volume of control information that needs to be transmitted separately. This approach allows the base station to maintain service to multiple UEs while consolidating control message transmission, thereby preventing resource exhaustion despite increased network capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates redundant control information transmission by allowing UEs to efficiently determine their own grant status through the shared resource structure. Instead of transmitting individual grants to each UE, the system allows UEs to autonomously identify their grants from the shared resource, effectively discarding unnecessary redundant transmissions and recovering valuable radio resources.
3Productivity
If the base station uses implicit resource assignment, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of detecting uplink grant versus downlink data increases at the user equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by using distinct resource unit assignments and identification mechanisms within the shared resource structure. Each UE can locally identify its specific grant within the shared resource through UE-specific identifiers, allowing simple local detection logic at each UE while maintaining overall system efficiency. This localized identification approach reduces signaling overhead without significantly increasing detection complexity at individual UEs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and devices for transmitting/receiving downlink signals in a wireless communication system. The methods and devices according to the present invention receive a downlink grant for user equipment (referred to hereinafter as a first downlink grant) at a first of a plurality of resource units in a given resource region from a base station; and detect an uplink grant at a second of the plurality of resource units if resource assignment information in the first downlink grant has a first value, and detect downlink data at the resource unit if the resource assignment information has a second value.