Frequency Selective Scheduling for 5G Sector Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently implementing frequency selective scheduling in advanced networks, particularly in 5G systems, due to high uplink overhead and limited resources, which affects sector throughput and cell edge user performance.

Innovation Solution

The system activates frequency selective scheduling based on channel conditions, utilizing subband channel quality indicators and precoding matrix indices reported by user equipment devices, and dynamically switches on/off the feature based on load and channel utilization levels to optimize scheduling without overburdening the uplink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frequency selective scheduling is implemented in advanced networks, then sector throughput and cell edge user performance are improved, but uplink overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesector throughputVSAvoiduplink overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple subbands and implements frequency selective scheduling by selecting specific subbands for transmission based on channel conditions. This segmentation allows the system to optimize throughput by transmitting only on favorable subbands while reducing uplink overhead by not requiring feedback for all frequency resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by implementing frequency selective scheduling only when channel conditions warrant it, rather than continuously across all frequencies. The system selectively activates scheduling on specific subbands where it provides benefit, thereby improving throughput while minimizing the uplink overhead associated with continuous full-band scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If frequency selective scheduling is activated based on channel conditions, then network performance is optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidscheduling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment reports channel quality indicators for different subbands, and the base station uses this feedback to make informed scheduling decisions. This feedback-driven approach optimizes network performance by adapting to actual channel conditions while managing device complexity through structured feedback protocols rather than requiring complex real-time processing at the device level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary channel quality assessments and subband evaluations before activating frequency selective scheduling. By pre-evaluating channel conditions and preparing scheduling decisions in advance, the system optimizes network performance while reducing the complexity of real-time scheduling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic switching of frequency selective scheduling is implemented based on load levels, then resource utilization is optimized, but control overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcontrol overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching of frequency selective scheduling based on network load conditions. The system adapts its scheduling behavior by activating or deactivating FSS on different subbands according to current traffic demands and channel conditions, thereby optimizing resource utilization while managing control overhead through load-based activation thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the activation state of frequency selective scheduling based on load levels. When load is high, FSS is activated to optimize throughput; when load is low, FSS is deactivated to reduce overhead. This parameter switching approach enables adaptive resource utilization while controlling the amount of control signaling required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11337234B2Facilitating frequency selective scheduling in advanced networks

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 AT&T MOBILITY II LLC

AI summary

Facilitating frequency selective scheduling in advanced networks (e.g., 4G, 5G, and beyond) with multiple transmission points is provided herein. Operations of a system can comprise facilitating an activation of a frequency selective scheduling based on identification of control channel elements used for a downlink control channel. The operations also can comprise instructing a user equipment device to report a subband channel quality indicator and a subband precoding matrix index based on a result of an evaluation of a metric determined based on channel conditions. Further, the operations can comprise scheduling the user equipment device with a subband based on the subband channel quality indicator and the subband precoding matrix index reported by the user equipment device.