Flexible Frequency Hopping for Wireless Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current frequency hopping techniques in wireless communication systems, such as those in 5G, are limited by the use of a single frequency offset for all hops, leading to potential inter-cell interference, especially for user equipment at cell edges, and do not fully leverage frequency diversity gain.
Innovation Solution
A flexible frequency hopping mechanism is introduced, allowing multiple frequency hopping offsets to be used based on a predetermined rule, enabling variable hopping patterns and reducing inter-cell interference by supporting more offset values in RRC signaling and DCI messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single frequency offset is used for all hops, then the system complexity is reduced and signaling overhead is minimized, but frequency diversity gain is limited and inter-cell interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency hopping mechanism is segmented into multiple offset values stored in a table, where different offset values can be applied to different hops. The network configures a table containing multiple frequency offset values, and the terminal device selects and applies appropriate offsets to different data transmission repetitions, thereby achieving frequency diversity while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency hopping mechanism transitions from a static single offset approach to a dynamic multi-offset approach. The terminal device dynamically selects frequency offsets from the configured table based on hop index, allowing the system to adapt frequency positions across different transmissions. This dynamic selection enables the system to leverage frequency diversity gain while maintaining operational simplicity through rule-based selection.
2Reliability
If multiple frequency hopping offsets are supported, then frequency diversity gain is enhanced and inter-cell interference is reduced, but signaling overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs preliminary configuration by pre-defining a table containing multiple frequency offset values before data transmission begins. This preliminary action allows the terminal device to directly apply pre-configured offsets without requiring real-time signaling for each hop, thereby reducing signaling overhead while enabling multiple frequency offsets to be utilized for enhanced frequency diversity gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of frequency offset from a single fixed value to multiple configurable values stored in a table. By modifying the offset parameter structure to include multiple pre-configured values, the system enables flexible frequency hopping patterns that enhance frequency diversity while avoiding the need for continuous signaling updates, thus reducing signaling overhead.
3Measurement precision
If multiple frequency hopping offsets are applied to data transmission repetitions, then channel estimation performance and frequency diversity are improved, but the complexity of frequency hopping management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device autonomously manages frequency hopping by automatically selecting and applying appropriate offset values from the pre-configured table based on the hop index. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex centralized management or real-time network control for each frequency hop, thereby improving channel estimation performance through multiple offsets while keeping the management complexity localized and manageable at the terminal side.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual or centralized frequency hopping management with an automated rule-based system. The terminal device uses predetermined rules (such as selecting offsets based on hop index modulo operations) to automatically determine which frequency offset to apply at each hop. This substitution of automated logic for manual management simplifies the overall system complexity while enabling sophisticated multi-offset frequency hopping patterns that improve channel estimation performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems for enabling a flexible frequency hopping mechanism are described. In one example aspect, a wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a communication device, a first message from a network device. The first message comprises a list of frequency hopping offsets and a value indicating a number of repetitions of a data transmission. The method also includes receiving, by the communication device, a second message selecting a frequency hopping offset from the list of frequency hopping offsets and applying multiple frequency hopping offsets to the number of repetitions of the data transmission. The multiple frequency offsets are determined according to a rule associated with the selected frequency hopping offset.