Dynamic Multicarrier Mode Selection for QoS

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE standard has limitations in flexibility and resource allocation, particularly for time-critical services like machine-to-machine (MTC) applications, due to its fixed subframe structure and coarse time granularity, which leads to resource wastage and inability to meet low latency requirements.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a new physical layer design with variable and smaller subframes, allowing for dynamic subcarrier spacing and mixed mode operation, enabling the selection and reconfiguration of subcarriers based on Quality-of-Service (QoS) metrics, and reallocation of resources to support emergent time-critical traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed subframe structure and coarse time granularity are used in LTE, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and ability to meet low latency requirements worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fixed subframe structure into smaller, variable-sized subframes with different granularities. This allows the system to divide time resources into finer units that can be dynamically allocated, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized segmentation rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic subframe configurations that can adapt to varying service requirements. Different subframe sizes and time granularities can be selected based on traffic conditions, enabling the system to optimize resource utilization for both latency-critical and non-critical services while maintaining manageable complexity through predefined configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed subcarrier spacing is used in LTE, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to different service requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different subcarrier spacings to different frequency resources or service types within the same system. This allows narrow subcarrier spacing to be used for services requiring high spectral efficiency while wide subcarrier spacing is used for time-critical services, achieving service-specific optimization without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of subcarrier spacing parameters based on service requirements. By changing the subcarrier spacing parameter, the system can adapt to different QoS demands including latency, throughput, and reliability requirements, while maintaining a unified underlying OFDM framework that preserves ease of implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If uniform resource allocation is used, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but ability to meet varying QoS requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidability to meet QoS requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements differentiated resource allocation where different QoS parameters are applied to different services or users based on their specific requirements. This allows the system to maintain simple uniform allocation mechanisms while achieving customized QoS through local parameter adjustments in resource allocation decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3311520B1Dynamic selection of multicarrier mode based on QOS parameters
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3311520B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3311520B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3311520B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In one aspect, a transmitter, for a first time interval, allocates first and second portions of a frequency band to first and second multicarrier modulation schemes with first and second subcarrier spacings that differ from one another. The data is transmitted to wireless devices in the first time interval using the first and second multicarrier modulation schemes in the first and second portions of the frequency band. For a second time interval, third and fourth non- overlapping portions of a frequency band are allocated to third and fourth multicarrier modulation schemes that have third and fourth subcarrier spacings that differ from one another. The third and fourth portions and/or schemes differ from the first and second portions and/or schemes. The data is transmitted in the second time interval using the third and fourth multicarrier modulation schemes in the third and fourth portions of the frequency band.