Flexible PRB Retuning for Narrowband Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications, especially for machine type communications, devices with limited transmitting and receiving capabilities face challenges in efficient communication due to retuning requirements for frequency hopping or frequency diversity, which can lead to delays and network overhead.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for retuning a wireless device's receiver to support flexible resource allocation by identifying and adjusting between different tuning bands within consecutive transmission time intervals, using a flexible starting resource block and aligning with resource block groups, to optimize communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retuning is performed for frequency hopping or frequency diversity in devices with limited capabilities, then communication reliability is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to retuning delays and network overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the retuning band in advance based on the resource allocation and narrowband configuration before actual retuning occurs. This allows the device to prepare for frequency changes proactively, reducing communication delays and improving efficiency while maintaining reliability through planned frequency hopping or diversity operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible starting resource block is used for resource allocation, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to retuning band determination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the system bandwidth into multiple narrowbands and determining retuning bands based on specific resource block allocations within those narrowbands. This segmentation approach enables flexible resource allocation across different narrowbands while managing device complexity through structured, modular retuning band determination based on allocation patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the retuning band parameters based on the flexible starting resource block allocation. The retuning band is determined by changing parameters such as the starting resource block index and narrowband configuration, allowing adaptable resource allocation while systematically managing the complexity through parameter-based control
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some cases, devices such as band limited (BL) or coverage enhancement (CE) user equipment (UE) having limited transmitting and receiving capability may operate using a subset of a system bandwidth of a carrier (e.g., narrowbands). To support frequency hopping or frequency diversity in transmissions, for example, such devices may utilize retuning when a resource allocation moves from a first narrowband to a second narrowband. Retuning, however, may create challenges when transmitting and receiving capability is limited. Aspects of this disclosure may support a flexible starting physical resource block (PRB) for indicating new resource allocations for BL or CE UEs. In some aspects, a UE is disclosed which may retune between consecutive transmission time intervals (TTIs) or subframes, for example, from a first tuning band to a second tuning band (e.g., a newly defined retuning narrowband).