Flexible Downlink Control Information for Narrowband Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting devices with limited communication capabilities, such as wearable devices, which often have restricted bandwidth and power, making it difficult to maintain reliable communication, especially in poor signal conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a downlink control information format that allows for flexible allocation of frequency resources, using techniques like repetition in time and frequency to enhance robustness and coverage, enabling variable bandwidth allocation to devices based on their capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable bandwidth allocation is implemented to support devices with limited capabilities, then adaptability to different device capabilities is improved, but reliability of communication in poor signal conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the downlink control information format can flexibly indicate different amounts of frequency resources (1 to 15 resource blocks) based on device capabilities and channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize resource allocation for each device while maintaining reliable communication through adaptive modulation and coding schemes that adjust to signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including the resource block allocation size (1-15 RBs), modulation order (QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM), and coding rate to adapt to different device capabilities and channel conditions. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain reliability across varying signal conditions while supporting diverse device requirements.
2Reliability
If robust reception features are applied to downlink control information, then reliability of resource allocation signaling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring robust reception features including repetition of downlink control information across multiple subframes and pre-defining resource allocation patterns. This allows devices with limited capabilities to reliably decode resource allocations without requiring complex real-time processing, as the robustness is built into the transmission structure in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by repeating the downlink control information multiple times across different subframes and using redundant signaling mechanisms. This repetition and redundancy provide robust reception for devices with limited capabilities, allowing them to reliably capture resource allocation information without increasing their processing complexity, as the robustness is achieved through transmission diversity rather than receiver complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to techniques for providing robust downlink control information with flexible resource assignments for wireless devices that operate in a restricted bandwidth compared to the system bandwidth. A base station may determine a resource assignment for a wireless device. The base station may transmit downlink control information to the wireless device. The downlink control information may include an indication of a resource assignment for the wireless device. The indication of the resource assignment may include an indication of a first narrowband associated with the resource assignment, and an indication of whether one or more additional narrowbands are associated with the resource assignment. The base station and the wireless device may communicate data according to the resource assignment.