Frequency Domain Resource Allocation with Coarse Step Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frequency hopping in mobile communications limits the size and flexibility of frequency domain-resource allocation (FD-RA) in New Radio (NR) networks, particularly for ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), due to the reduction in bits available for frequency allocation, which is inadequate for meeting stringent reliability and latency requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of coarse step sizes for resource block (RB) allocation when frequency hopping is enabled, allowing for the determination of a first coarse step size for the start and a second coarse step size for the length of FD-RA, ensuring efficient spectrum usage and avoiding holes in resource allocation, even with reduced bits available for frequency hopping indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency hopping is enabled for uplink FD-RA, then frequency diversity and reliability are improved, but the number of bits available for frequency allocation is reduced, limiting the size and position flexibility of resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency allocation is segmented into two independent parts: a start position indicator and a length indicator. Each part is encoded separately using coarse step sizes, allowing the total frequency allocation to exceed what would be possible with a single unified encoding. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both frequency hopping (for reliability) and large flexible allocations (for adaptability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encoding parameters from fine-grained RB-level indexing to coarse step-size-based indexing. By defining step sizes (e.g., 2 RBs, 4 RBs, 8 RBs) and using indicators to select multiples of these steps, the system achieves more efficient use of limited bits while maintaining the ability to represent large frequency allocations needed for URLLC.
2Quantity of substance
If 16 bits are used for frequency domain RA, then complete coverage of starting RBs and RB lengths is achieved, but when frequency hopping is enabled, only 14 bits remain, limiting resource allocation options
Solution Approach 1:
The 14-bit frequency allocation field is segmented into two separate indicator fields: one for start position and one for length. Each field uses coarse step sizes appropriate to its function, maximizing the number of representable combinations within the constrained bit budget while maintaining simplicity in the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic step sizes that can be configured based on system conditions and requirements. Different step size configurations can be applied depending on the active BWP size and frequency hopping parameters, allowing the system to adapt the granularity of frequency allocation to match actual needs, thereby increasing the effective number of allocation combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
Various solutions for frequency domain-resource allocation (FD-RA) when frequency hopping is enabled with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may determine whether frequency hopping is enabled. The apparatus may determine at least one of a first coarse step size corresponding to a start of an FD-RA and a second coarse step size corresponding to a length of the FD-RA in an event that the frequency hopping is enabled. The apparatus may determine allocated resources blocks (RBs) according to at least one of the first coarse step size and the second coarse step size. The apparatus may perform a transmission on the allocated RBs.