GFDM Subcarrier Bandwidth Adaptation for Frequency Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM), the inefficiency in frequency use due to refraining from using certain frequency bands leads to a decrease in frequency use efficiency, similar to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), where some frequency bands are not utilized to prevent signal quality degradation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a mechanism to improve frequency use efficiency in GFDM by utilizing unused subcarriers and guard bands, allowing for flexible resource allocation and multiplexing of signals, thereby optimizing the use of available frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If some frequency bands are not used to prevent signal quality degradation, then reception reliability is improved, but frequency use efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception success probabilityVSAvoidfrequency use efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the subcarrier bandwidth configurable and adaptable. Different subcarrier bandwidths are used in different frequency bands based on channel conditions and interference levels. This allows the system to dynamically optimize frequency usage while maintaining reception reliability, resolving the contradiction between using more frequency bands and ensuring signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of subcarrier bandwidth across different frequency bands. By adjusting subcarrier bandwidth parameters according to channel characteristics and interference conditions in each band, the system can efficiently utilize frequency resources while maintaining adequate signal quality and reception success probability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If subcarrier bandwidth is increased to cover more frequency bands, then frequency coverage is improved, but frequency use efficiency deteriorates due to guard bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency coverageVSAvoidfrequency use efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple bands with different subcarrier bandwidth configurations. Each frequency band can have optimized subcarrier bandwidth settings, allowing efficient packing of subcarriers and reduction of guard band overhead. This segmentation approach improves overall frequency use efficiency while maintaining comprehensive frequency coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts subcarrier bandwidth based on the specific frequency band being used. By adapting subcarrier bandwidth to channel conditions and interference characteristics of each band, the system maximizes frequency utilization efficiency while ensuring adequate coverage and signal quality across the entire frequency spectrum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3422650B1Device and method
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3422650B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3422650B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3422650B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Object] To provide a mechanism that can improve frequency use efficiency while refraining from using some of the frequency bands of carriers in GFDM. [Solution] An apparatus including: a processing unit configured to variably set at least any of bandwidth of a subcarrier or time length of a subsymbol included in a unit resource including one or more subcarriers or one or more subsymbols, and set, as a used subcarrier, at least a part of a frequency band corresponding to an unused subcarrier of a first resource in a second resource including the unit resource in which the bandwidth of the subcarrier is less than in the first resource.