Downlink Subframe Scheduling with Multi-Subframe Control Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing scheduling of downlink sub-frames in LTE systems is inflexible, as the control section can only schedule a single data section, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and increased overhead in control signaling.

Innovation Solution

A method where a control section of a downlink sub-frame schedules multiple data sections across other sub-frames, allowing for channel-encoded redundancy versions to be transmitted, thereby reducing control signaling overhead and enhancing data transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a control section schedules only a single data section in the same sub-frame, then the scheduling is simple and straightforward, but the flexibility and resource utilization are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidscheduling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scheduling function by separating the control section that carries downlink allocation signaling from the data sections it schedules. The control section in one sub-frame can schedule multiple data sections across different sub-frames, allowing flexible resource allocation without requiring complex per-subframe control structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The downlink allocation signaling is transmitted in advance in an earlier sub-frame before the actual data transmission occurs in subsequent sub-frames. This preliminary scheduling action allows the system to allocate resources flexibly across multiple future sub-frames without requiring real-time control decisions in each sub-frame

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If control information is carried in each downlink sub-frame to schedule its own data section, then the control is precise and timely, but the control signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control functions into a single downlink allocation signaling message that can schedule multiple data sections across different sub-frames. Instead of having separate control information in each sub-frame, one control message consolidates the scheduling information for multiple sub-frames, reducing overall control signaling overhead while maintaining scheduling precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The downlink allocation signaling is designed with multi-functionality, capable of scheduling data sections in the same sub-frame as well as in different sub-frames. This universal scheduling mechanism eliminates the need for separate control protocols for different scheduling scenarios, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining control reliability

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

3Reliability

If multiple redundancy versions are transmitted across multiple sub-frames for the same payload, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the data transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous transmission of redundancy versions across multiple sub-frames without interrupting the data flow. The downlink allocation signaling continuously schedules data sections in successive sub-frames, ensuring that redundancy versions are transmitted in an unbroken sequence. This continuous action improves reliability through redundancy while minimizing time loss by avoiding retransmission delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2533452B1Method and device for scheduling downlink subframes
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP2533452B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2533452B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2533452B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method and device for scheduling downlink subframes are disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, in which by the control section of one subframe, data sections of other one or more subframes are scheduled. Comparing with traditional single subframe scheduling, overhead of control signaling is saved a lot, therefore there are more resources for transmitting data, and system performance is improved.