Dynamic NB-IoT PRB Allocation for LTE Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In current NB-IoT in-band deployment, reserved Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) are wasted when not used by NB-IoT terminal devices, leading to inefficient resource utilization and interference to User Equipment (UE) due to unknown Narrowband Reference Signals (NRS), resulting in suboptimal capacity consumption and throughput in host LTE cells.
Innovation Solution
A method where network devices dynamically allocate configured NB-IoT PRBs to UE, conditionally muting NRSs based on modulation and coding schemes and PRB allocation thresholds to minimize interference and optimize resource usage, with a timer mechanism to resume NRS transmission when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NB-IoT PRBs are always reserved for NB-IoT terminal devices, then NB-IoT service quality is guaranteed, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates when no NB-IoT traffic is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where NB-IoT PRBs are reserved when needed but can be temporarily allocated to LTE UEs when no NB-IoT traffic is present. The base station dynamically adjusts PRB allocation based on real-time traffic conditions, switching between reservation and sharing modes to optimize both reliability and resource utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the allocation state parameter of NB-IoT PRBs from static (always reserved) to dynamic (conditionally shared). By monitoring NB-IoT traffic parameters and adjusting PRB allocation accordingly, the system transforms fixed resource reservation into flexible resource sharing, improving overall resource utilization while maintaining service quality.
2Productivity
If NB-IoT PRBs are shared with LTE UEs, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but interference from NRS to LTE UEs occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by muting NRS transmission in NB-IoT PRBs before allocating these resources to LTE UEs. By proactively suppressing the harmful NRS signals that would interfere with LTE UE reception, the system enables safe resource sharing while preventing interference issues from arising.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful NRS component from the NB-IoT PRB transmission when these resources are allocated to LTE UEs. By removing the NRS signals that cause interference, the system isolates the harmful element while preserving the useful resource sharing between NB-IoT and LTE systems.
3Ease of operation
If host LTE downlink scheduler uses Resource Block Group resolution, then scheduling simplicity is maintained, but capacity consumption from host LTE cell increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PRB allocation unit from larger Resource Block Groups down to individual PRBs for NB-IoT allocations. This finer segmentation allows the scheduler to allocate only the specific PRBs needed for NB-IoT traffic rather than allocating entire RBGs, reducing capacity consumption while preserving scheduling simplicity through the existing RBG-based framework.
Data Source
AI summary
A method implemented by a network device in a communication network is provided. The network device is operable to communicate with a User Equipment UE and a Narrow Band Internet Of Things NB-IoT terminal device in the communication network. Said method may comprise configuring NB-IoT Physical Resource Blocks PRBs. Said method may further comprise when scheduling said UE, if said configured NB-IoT PRBs have not been allocated to said NB-IoT terminal device and if available PRBs other than said configured NB-IOT PRBs are not enough for said UE, attempting to allocate said configured NB-IoT PRBs for said UE. A network device performing said method is also provided. Further, a communication network comprising said network device is also provided.