IoT Downlink Transmission Power Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cellular radio technologies face challenges in providing efficient and cost-effective communication solutions for low-end Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, requiring reduced power consumption, extended battery life, and increased coverage without dedicated networks, while optimizing existing infrastructure and air interface resources.

Innovation Solution

The method involves assigning different transmission power levels to physical resource blocks in a mobile communication network to differentiate coverage conditions among IoT devices, using a higher power level for devices with poorer coverage and a lower power level for those with better coverage, allowing for efficient scheduling and enhanced coverage without unnecessary resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single transmission power level is used for all IoT devices, then network infrastructure complexity is reduced, but coverage for devices with poor radio conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork infrastructure complexityVSAvoidcoverage for devices with poor radio conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different transmission power levels to different physical resource blocks based on the coverage requirements of specific IoT devices. Devices with poor radio conditions receive data on resource blocks with higher transmission power levels, while devices with good coverage use resource blocks with lower power levels, optimizing both coverage and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission power level parameter for different physical resource blocks to address varying coverage conditions. The base station entity configures multiple resource blocks with different power levels and schedules devices appropriately, dynamically adjusting resource allocation based on device-specific coverage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If higher transmission power levels are used for all resource blocks, then coverage for poor radio conditions is improved, but energy consumption and resource usage for devices with good coverage increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage for poor radio conditionsVSAvoidenergy consumption for data transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures that only the specific physical resource blocks requiring additional coverage receive higher transmission power levels, while other resource blocks maintain lower power levels. This localized power adjustment ensures energy efficiency by avoiding unnecessary high-power transmission for devices with good coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by providing enhanced transmission power only to the extent necessary for devices with poor radio conditions. Not all resource blocks receive increased power, and not all devices require high-power transmission, optimizing energy usage by applying the excessive action (higher power) only where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If dedicated networks are deployed for IoT devices, then communication reliability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliability for IoT devicesVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the existing mobile communication network infrastructure to serve dual purposes: traditional mobile broadband services and IoT device communication. By configuring existing base station entities to support IoT-specific features like multiple power-level resource blocks and coverage class reporting, the network achieves improved IoT reliability without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation and power level configuration for IoT devices within the existing network framework. The base station entity dynamically schedules different resource blocks with appropriate power levels based on real-time device requirements, allowing the infrastructure to adapt to IoT needs without structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3826336B1Method for transmitting downlink communication data from a mobile communication network to a plurality of internet-of-things communication devices, mobile communication network for transmitting downlink communication data to a plurality of internet-of-things communication devices, system for transmitting downlink communication data to a plurality of internet-of-things communication devices, internet-of-things communication device suitable for receiving downlink communication date from a mobile communication network, program and computer program product
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3826336B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting downlink communication data from a mobile communication network to a plurality of internet-of-things communication devices, the mobile communication network comprising an access network and a core network, wherein the access network comprises at least one radio cell and a base station entity associated with the at least one radio cell, wherein the communication data are transmitted using a radio interface between the base station entity and the plurality of internet-of-things communication devices, the radio interface having a plurality of physical resource blocks such that each physical resource block of the plurality of physical resource blocks corresponds to specific radio transmission resources, having a defined frequency range, wherein a transmission power level is assigned and/or associated, by the base station entity, to each physical resource block of the plurality of physical resource blocks, wherein the plurality of internet-of-things communication devices at least comprises a first internet-of-things communication device, and at least a second internet-of-things communication device, wherein the base station entity receives or obtains a coverage information or a coverage class information regarding the first internet-of-things communication device and regarding the second internet-of-things communication device, the coverage information or the coverage class information regarding the first and second internet-of-things communication devices indicating a lower coverage class or a lower coverage level of the first internet-of-things communication device compared to the second internet-of-things communication device, wherein, in order to transmit a first part of the downlink communication data to the first internet-of-things communication device and a second part of the downlink communication data to the second internet-of-things communication device, the method comprises the steps of: -- in a first step, a physical resource block and an additional physical resource block are defined by the base station entity to transmit the first and second part of the downlink communication data, wherein the transmission power level assigned and/or associated to the physical resource block is higher compared to the transmission power level assigned and/or associated to the additional physical resource block, -- in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the first part of the downlink communication data is transmitted, by the base station entity, using the physical resource block, and the second part of the downlink communication data is transmitted, by the base station entity, using the additional physical resource block.