Guard Band Utilization for LTE MTC Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE communications networks face challenges in providing improved data transmission for low-end Machine-Type Communications (MTC) devices without requiring significant changes to the existing LTE standard, particularly in managing overload and ensuring efficient bandwidth utilization.

Innovation Solution

The method involves allocating a part of the guard band region for transmission and reception, allowing low-cost, low-band MTC devices to operate by using additional physical resource blocks in the guard band, and dynamically switching between the supported frequency band and the guard band region based on network overload, thereby enhancing data throughput and reducing overload probability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If guard band region is used for additional transmission, then network throughput is improved, but interference with adjacent frequency bands increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidinterference with adjacent frequency bands
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the transmission power of subcarriers located in the guard band region. When the guard band is activated for additional data transmission, the power of edge subcarriers is reduced to minimize interference with adjacent frequency bands. This power adjustment parameter allows the system to utilize the guard band for increased throughput while controlling the harmful interference effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If low-end MTC devices are supported without significant LTE standard changes, then device compatibility and cost are improved, but data transmission capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddata transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the frequency dimension by utilizing the guard band region, which is traditionally unused or used for protection purposes. By allocating additional physical resource blocks in the guard band region, the system provides low-end MTC devices with more bandwidth and improved data transmission capability without requiring changes to the core LTE standard or additional hardware, thus maintaining compatibility while enhancing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If dynamic switching between frequency band and guard band region is implemented, then overload probability is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverload probabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between the supported frequency band and the guard band region based on network load conditions. The system monitors network overload indicators and dynamically activates or deactivates the guard band for data transmission. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to reduce overload probability by utilizing additional bandwidth when needed, while keeping the system relatively simple by using existing LTE infrastructure and control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2704348B1Guard band utilization in a communication network
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 APPLE INC
  • EP2704348B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2704348B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2704348B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for operating a transceiver circuit includes receiving an information indicating at least one of a transmission and a reception in a guard band region of a frequency band supported by a communications network and allocating at least a part of the guard band region of the supported frequency band of the communications network for at least one of a transmission and a reception of at least one physical channel.