Dynamic OFDMA Resource Allocation for Wireless Multicast
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Solution Overview
Problem
The growing demand for wireless video streaming and broadcasting is outpacing the availability of electromagnetic spectrum, leading to inefficiencies in spectrum utilization and increased noise in the radio frequency environment, as existing technologies like eMBMS struggle with dynamic bandwidth allocation and resource sharing between LTE downlink shared channel and wireless broadcasting services.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic wireless multicast service system that allocates and releases OFDMA resource blocks based on user demand, allowing for efficient sharing of LTE spectrum between multicast and unicast services, reducing power consumption and noise by releasing resources when no receivers are active, and using LTE-Advanced techniques for increased bandwidth and spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless broadcasting services continuously transmit data over electromagnetic spectrum, then service availability is maintained, but spectrum utilization efficiency deteriorates and noise floor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where OFDMA resource blocks are allocated to multicast services only when users are actively receiving data, and released when no users are active. This dynamic switching between allocation and release states allows the system to maintain service availability on-demand while avoiding continuous transmission that would waste spectrum and increase noise floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter state by switching resource block allocation status based on user activity. When users are active, resource blocks are allocated and transmission occurs; when users become inactive, resource blocks are released and transmission stops. This parameter change (allocated vs. released state) resolves the contradiction between maintaining service availability and improving spectrum utilization efficiency.
2Productivity
If OFDMA resource blocks are allocated for multicast services, then spectral efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases and noise floor rises when no receivers are active
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mechanism where OFDMA resource blocks are discarded (released) when no users are actively receiving multicast data, and recovered (reallocated) when users request the service. This discard-and-recover cycle eliminates continuous power consumption and noise generation while maintaining the ability to provide high spectral efficiency when needed. The base station scheduler monitors user activity and releases resource blocks to the resource pool when multicast services are terminated by all users.
3Reliability
If dedicated electromagnetic spectrum is allocated for wireless broadcasting, then service quality is ensured, but spectrum scarcity worsens and availability for other services decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes OFDMA resource blocks universal by allowing them to serve multiple purposes: unicast data transmission, multicast service delivery, and returning to the general resource pool when not in use. The same resource blocks can be dynamically allocated to different services based on demand, eliminating the need for dedicated spectrum allocation. This multi-functionality ensures service quality when multicast is active while making spectrum resources available for other services when multicast is inactive.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic wireless multicast service system is described. A method includes transmitting in a first service area, multicast data using a first orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource block associated with first resource allocation control information in response to a first user request for a multicast service. The method includes providing the first resource allocation control information to a second user in the first service area in response to the second user requesting the multicast service. The method may include releasing the first OFDMA resource block in response to termination of the multicast service by all users in the first service area. The method may include transmitting in the first service area, unicast data using the first OFDMA resource block after the releasing.