Grant-Free Resource Allocation via Assistant Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in resource allocation, particularly in grant-free scenarios where optimal allocation is not consistently achieved.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of apparatuses and methods for grant-free resource allocation, where remote units transmit assistant information to base units to facilitate efficient resource configuration, allowing for better allocation without traditional grants, using techniques such as SC-FDMA and OFDM modulation schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional grant-based resource allocation is used, then resource allocation control is maintained, but resource allocation efficiency and responsiveness to traffic demands deteriorate due to signaling overhead and latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the grant signaling step from the traditional resource allocation process, allowing UEs to transmit uplink data without receiving a grant first. This removes the signaling overhead and latency associated with grant-based allocation while maintaining resource allocation control through alternative mechanisms like configured grants and random access channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements configured grants where resource allocations are pre-configured and assigned to UEs in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time grant signaling when UEs need to transmit data, as they can directly use the pre-allocated resources based on their traffic demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If grant-free resource allocation is implemented, then resource allocation efficiency improves, but resource allocation precision and control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report channel state information, buffer status, and other metrics to the base station. This feedback enables the base station to monitor and adjust resource allocations dynamically, maintaining precision and control even in grant-free scenarios where traditional grant signaling is eliminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic resource allocation where pre-configured grants can be activated, deactivated, or modified based on real-time traffic demands and channel conditions. This dynamic approach maintains allocation precision by adapting resource assignments to current network conditions rather than using static allocations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote units dynamically select resources based on traffic demands, then adaptability improves, but resource allocation optimization deteriorates due to lack of centralized control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic demand adaptabilityVSAvoidresource allocation optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a hybrid resource allocation framework that combines both autonomous UE-based selection and base station-controlled allocation. This multi-functional approach allows the system to operate in grant-free mode for efficiency while maintaining the option for grant-based allocation when optimization is needed, serving multiple operational modes within a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces configured grants as an intermediary mechanism that bridges autonomous UE resource selection and base station control. The base station pre-configures resource pools and parameters, acting as an intermediary that enables UE autonomy while maintaining overall system optimization through centralized configuration and monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3662708B1Grant-free resource allocation
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD
  • EP3662708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3662708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3662708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for grant-free resource allocation. One apparatus (200) includes a transmitter (210) that transmits (602) assistant information to a base unit (104) to assist in grant-free resource allocation. In such an apparatus, the assistant information may include an expected type of resource, a bit rate requirement, reliability information, or some combination thereof.