Interlaced Multi-Cluster Uplink Allocation for Unlicensed Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Uplink transmission in unlicensed bands faces challenges due to restricted minimum transmission bandwidth, which prevents the direct application of uplink resource allocation methods from licensed bands, leading to inadequate performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an interlaced multi-cluster allocation method for uplink resources in unlicensed bands, allowing for multiple clusters dispersed in the frequency direction and enabling flexible allocation to ensure sufficient bandwidth and prevent coverage deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the uplink resource allocation method from licensed bands is directly applied to unlicensed bands, then the device complexity is reduced, but the transmission bandwidth is insufficient and coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation method complexityVSAvoidtransmission bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The uplink resource allocation is segmented into multiple clusters dispersed in the frequency direction. Each cluster represents a contiguous set of resource blocks, and multiple clusters are allocated to different user terminals. This segmentation allows the system to achieve sufficient total bandwidth allocation while maintaining manageable complexity in resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The allocation method transitions from a single continuous bandwidth allocation to a multi-dimensional approach where resources are distributed across multiple frequency clusters. This dimensional change in resource allocation enables the system to overcome bandwidth limitations by utilizing dispersed frequency resources effectively.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the minimum transmission bandwidth is restricted in unlicensed bands, then the interference with other systems (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) is reduced, but the uplink transmission performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with Wi-Fi and BluetoothVSAvoiduplink transmission performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the uplink resources into multiple frequency clusters, the system can achieve sufficient total bandwidth for reliable transmission while keeping individual cluster bandwidths at levels that minimize interference with coexisting unlicensed band systems like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different clusters are allocated to different user terminals based on their specific transmission requirements and channel conditions. This local optimization ensures that each user receives adequate bandwidth for reliable transmission while the overall system maintains low interference characteristics through dispersed frequency allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3407653B1User terminal, wireless base station, and wireless communication method
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3407653B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3407653B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3407653B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is designed to execute uplink transmission using an allocation method for an uplink resource suitable for a cell (for example, a cell in an unlicensed band) to which listening is applied before the transmission. The user terminal according to one aspect of the present invention receives downlink control information including allocation information for an uplink resource allocated by any one of a single cluster allocation (type 0) and an interlaced multi-cluster allocation (type 2). The single cluster allocation (type 0) is configured to allocate a single cluster to the user terminal. The interlaced multi-cluster allocation (type 2) is configured to allocate a transmission unit to the user terminal. The transmission unit is constituted of a plurality of clusters uniformly arranged in a frequency direction. The user terminal is configured to determine the uplink resource used to transmit an uplink shared channel based on the allocation information.