Uplink Resource Allocation for IoT Subcarrier Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE releases, such as Rel-14 and earlier, face challenges in efficiently allocating resources smaller than 12 subcarriers to the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) for Machine Type Communication (MTC), which affects spectral efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a network device allocating resource blocks or subcarriers as the minimum unit for resource allocation, using downlink control information to indicate the allocated resources, allowing for efficient allocation by indicating the resource block or subcarrier allocation through specific bit patterns in the resource allocation field, thereby improving spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If resource block (12 subcarriers) is used as the minimum allocation unit for PUSCH, then resource allocation is simplified, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to inability to allocate smaller resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The resource block is segmented into smaller subcarrier units (less than 12 subcarriers) as the minimum allocation granularity. This segmentation allows the network device to allocate precisely the number of subcarriers needed by each terminal device, avoiding waste of spectral resources while maintaining manageable allocation complexity through standardized resource unit definitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If resource smaller than 12 subcarriers is allocated to PUSCH, then spectral efficiency is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the allocation parameter from fixed resource block (12 subcarriers) to variable subcarrier count (less than 12 subcarriers). By introducing flexible subcarrier allocation parameters and corresponding indication mechanisms in downlink control information, the system achieves fine-grained spectral resource allocation while controlling complexity through standardized parameter definitions and indication methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If fixed resource block allocation is used, then signaling overhead is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from static fixed resource block allocation to dynamic subcarrier-level allocation. The network device dynamically determines the number of subcarriers to allocate based on actual service requirements, terminal device capabilities, and channel conditions. This dynamic allocation is signaled through flexible resource indication fields in downlink control information, achieving high resource utilization while maintaining acceptable signaling overhead through efficient indication schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3761543B1Information transmission method and device
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3761543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3761543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3761543B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An information transmission method and a device are provided. The information transmission method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, downlink control information sent by a network device, where the downlink control information includes a resource allocation field, and the resource allocation field is used to indicate allocated resource block(s) or a subcarrier resource; and when the resource allocation field is used to indicate the allocated resource block(s), the resource allocation field includes ⌈log2⌊NRBUL6⌋⌉ high-order bits and M+X low-order bits, the ⌈log2⌊NRBUL6⌋⌉ high-order bits indicate an index of a narrowband, M high-order bits in the M+X low-order bits indicate resource allocation in the narrowband, and a quantity of resource blocks indicated by the resource allocation field is greater than or equal to 1; or when the resource allocation field is used to indicate the allocated subcarrier resource, the resource allocation field includes ⌈log2⌊NRBUL6⌋⌉ high-order bits and L low-order bits, the L low-order bits indicate subcarrier resource allocation in K resource blocks, and a quantity of subcarriers indicated by the resource allocation field is less than 12; and determining, by the terminal device, an allocated resource based on the downlink control information, and sending information on the allocated resource. According to the method and the device provided in embodiments of this application, a coverage capability of a network is improved, and the method and the device may be applied to the internet of things, for example, MTC, IoT, LTE-M, and M2M.