Interlace Structure Frequency Resource Allocation in 5G NR-U
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR-U wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in configuring subbands and interlaces within a bandwidth part (BWP) for efficient uplink communication, particularly in determining the interlace structure and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining an interlace structure based on always-valid resource blocks (AV-RBs) and potential-valid resource blocks (PV-RBs) within a BWP, using interlace indices and subband indices to allocate frequency resources. This includes converting PV-RBs between contiguous subbands to AV-RBs for efficient resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If interlace structure is adopted for uplink channel transmissions in unlicensed band, then channel occupancy efficiency is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the unlicensed band into multiple subbands (SB0, SB1, etc.), each containing multiple resource blocks. This segmentation allows independent LBT operations on each subband while maintaining overall interlace structure, thereby improving channel occupancy efficiency without excessively increasing allocation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional resource allocation framework combining subband dimension and interlace dimension. Resources are identified by pairs (subband index, interlace index), creating a structured grid that simplifies allocation while enabling flexible channel access across multiple frequency segments.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple subbands are used for wideband operation, then frequency resource utilization is improved, but LBT operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wideband bandwidth part into multiple subbands, allowing independent LBT operations on each subband. This enables parallel channel access attempts across different frequency segments, improving overall resource utilization while distributing LBT complexity across multiple independent operations rather than one complex wideband operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs LBT operations preliminarily on each subband before actual data transmission. By conducting channel sensing in advance on individual subbands, the system determines which subbands are available for transmission, enabling efficient resource utilization without requiring complex real-time coordination during data transmission.
3Reliability
If interlace structure with fixed PRB spacing is used, then transmission reliability is improved, but resource allocation flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the interlace structure dynamic by allowing the number of resource blocks per interlace and the spacing between PRBs to be configured based on subband characteristics and transmission requirements. This enables the system to adapt the interlace parameters dynamically, maintaining reliability through structured allocation while gaining flexibility to optimize for different channel conditions and traffic types.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is related to a method for allocating frequency resources in a wideband system, performed by a user equipment, wherein the wideband system comprises a bandwidth part (BWP) containing a plurality of subbands (N; SB0, SB1), each subband (SB) being formed by resource blocks (RB), the method comprises the steps of: obtaining an interlace structure determined by a set of always-valid RB (AV-RB) starting from a starting AV-RB and containing a number of consecutive RB corresponding to a pre-defined number (T) of RB forming an interlace; and a set of potential-valid RB (PV-RB) as all RB other than the AV-RB; obtaining at least one interlace index (#i) and at least one SB index (SB); determining the frequency resources based on the at least one interlace index, the at least one SB index and the interlace structure.