Dynamic Time Allocation in TDD Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In copper cable access systems, Dynamic Time Assignment (DTA) during the showtime phase faces issues with synchronization abnormalities and update failures due to loss or errors in data symbols carrying DTA update signaling, particularly when the number of downlink symbols in the new TDD frame configuration exceeds the current number, leading to data reception and transmission conflicts.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic time assignment method and apparatus that continuously transmit DTA update instructions with a countdown value, determining whether to start TDD frame communication based on state information such as countdown value, number of downlink symbols, confirmation of terminal readiness, and available slots, ensuring synchronized communication adjustments according to new TDD frame configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of downlink symbols in the new TDD frame configuration is increased to improve communication capacity, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but synchronization abnormalities and update failures occur due to loss or errors in data symbols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously transmitting DTA update instructions with countdown values before the actual configuration change takes effect. The countdown mechanism allows the system to prepare terminal devices in advance, ensuring they are ready to switch to the new TDD frame configuration without synchronization issues. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability during the transition to higher productivity configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the central office continuously monitors terminal device states and adjusts DTA update transmissions accordingly. The feedback loop ensures that configuration updates are only applied when both ends are synchronized, preventing update failures while allowing flexible adjustment of downlink symbol counts to optimize transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If DTA update instructions are transmitted continuously to ensure reliable configuration updates, then update reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple state judgments and coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the DTA update process into distinct phases: continuous instruction transmission phase, countdown phase, and execution phase. Each phase has specific state judgment criteria, which simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the complex coordination problem into manageable segments with clear transition conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic adjustment of update transmission based on real-time state information. The central office adapts the frequency and content of DTA update instructions according to terminal device readiness states, making the system flexible and manageable despite the multiple coordination requirements. This dynamic approach maintains reliability without requiring overly complex static protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3534657B1Dynamic time allocation method and device
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 ZTE CORP
  • EP3534657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3534657B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)
  • EP3534657B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A dynamic time allocation (DTA) method and device, the method comprising: receiving a DTA update request instruction, the DTA update request instruction comprising new time division duplexing (TDD) frame configuration information, the new TDD frame configuration information comprising the number of downlink symbols of a TDD frame to be updated; continuously sending a DTA update instruction to a terminal in each TDD frame, the DTA update instruction comprising the number of downlink symbols of the TDD frame to be updated and a frame decrement count value, the frame decrement count value decrementing to zero according to each TDD frame; and determining, according to state information, whether to start performing TDD frame communication on the basis of the new TDD frame configuration information.