Dynamic In-Band Carrier Allocation for IoT Spectrum Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of Cat-M1 IoT devices in wireless networks leads to overutilization of limited bandwidth, while simultaneously, LTE or NR resources often remain underutilized, resulting in capacity issues and inefficient resource usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to dynamically adjust in-band carriers by dynamically assigning additional carriers to Cat-M1 when resources are overutilized and deallocating carriers from Cat-M1 when resources are underutilized, thereby optimizing spectrum utilization across different RATs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Cat-M1 devices are deployed to increase IoT connectivity, then device coverage and service capability are improved, but bandwidth resources become overutilized and capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the access node continuously monitors Cat-M1 resource usage and adjusts the allocated bandwidth in real-time. When Cat-M1 usage exceeds a threshold, the system dynamically assigns additional bandwidth from available LTE/NR resources to Cat-M1, ensuring capacity adaptation to demand while maintaining overall network efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The access node is designed to support multiple communication modes (Cat-M1, LTE, NR) simultaneously within the same frequency band. By implementing dynamic spectrum sharing, the system allows frequency resources to serve multiple purposes - initially allocated to LTE/NR but dynamically reassigned to Cat-M1 when needed, maximizing resource utilization across different service types
2Device complexity
If fixed bandwidth allocation is used for Cat-M1, then resource management is simplified, but spectral efficiency decreases due to underutilization of available spectrum
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the access node continuously monitors Cat-M1 resource usage metrics and compares them against predefined thresholds. Based on this feedback, the system automatically triggers bandwidth reallocation from LTE/NR to Cat-M1 when utilization exceeds thresholds, and reverses the allocation when usage decreases, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the bandwidth allocation parameter for Cat-M1 based on real-time network conditions. The system adjusts the frequency resources assigned to Cat-M1 from an initial fixed allocation to a variable allocation that responds to traffic demand, thereby optimizing spectral efficiency without requiring complex manual reconfiguration
3Loss of energy
If additional carriers are dynamically assigned to Cat-M1, then resource utilization and spectral efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the available frequency band into distinct resource pools - a primary Cat-M1 carrier and additional LTE/NR carriers that can be dynamically allocated. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by treating carrier allocation as discrete units that can be independently assigned and reassigned based on demand, rather than managing a monolithic resource pool
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and processing nodes for managing network resources perform and/or comprise: setting a first trigger criteria for an access node, wherein the access node is configured to communicate over a wideband including a first bandwidth portion and is configured to communicate in both of a first communication mode and a second communication mode; scheduling communications in the first communication mode over the first bandwidth portion; monitoring a usage parameter in at least one of the first communication mode or the second communication mode; and in response to a first determination that the usage parameter corresponds to the first trigger criteria for at least a first predetermined amount of time: identifying a second bandwidth portion within the wideband, and scheduling communications corresponding to the first communication mode over the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion.