Frame Structure Configuring Fixed Flexible Resources Wireless
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing radio access technologies face challenges in efficiently configuring frame structures for new radio access technology (RAT) in wireless communication systems, particularly in managing inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC) with different transmission time intervals (TTI) and downlink/uplink (DL/UL) switching points, which limits the flexibility and effectiveness of beamforming and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for configuring a frame structure with a combination of fixed and flexible resources, where the transmission direction is fixed for certain resources and changeable for others, allowing for single-channel transmission across both types of resources, enabling efficient ICIC and flexible resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If analog beamforming is used to reduce cost by mapping multiple antenna elements to one TXRU, then cost effectiveness is improved, but frequency selective beamforming capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame structure into fixed resources and flexible resources, allowing different beamforming strategies to be applied to different resource portions. This enables the system to use analog beamforming for fixed resources while reserving flexible resources for frequency-selective beamforming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where the transmission direction can be changed for flexible resources. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt beamforming characteristics based on channel conditions while maintaining the cost-effective analog beamforming architecture for fixed resources.
2Ease of manufacture
If hybrid beamforming with B TXRUs is used, then cost is reduced compared to Q TXRUs, but the number of simultaneously transmittable beams is limited to B or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmission resources into fixed and flexible portions, allowing the limited B TXRUs to be efficiently utilized for fixed resources while using flexible resources to achieve higher beam throughput through dynamic resource allocation and multiple beam operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching between different beam configurations in flexible resources, enabling the system to transmit multiple beams sequentially over time. This periodic action increases the effective number of simultaneously transmittable beams beyond the hardware limitation of B TXRUs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a new frame structure with flexible resources is configured, then adaptability to different services is improved, but complexity of resource configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame structure into fixed resources with predetermined transmission directions and flexible resources with configurable directions. This segmentation reduces configuration complexity by providing a default structure while allowing service-specific customization only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different configuration complexities to different parts of the frame structure. Fixed resources use simple, predetermined configurations while flexible resources allow detailed, service-specific configuration. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between adaptability and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network node in a new radio access technology (RAT) configures a fixed resource on which transmission direction is fixed and a flexible resource on which transmission direction is changeable, and transmits a single channel which is mapped to the fixed resource and the flexible resource. The single channel may be divided into a first mini channel which is mapped to the fixed resource and a second mini channel which is mapped to the flexible resource.