IoT Synchronization Signal Underlaying Licensed Cellular Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT communication systems face challenges with unlicensed bands offering unreliable Quality of Service (QoS) due to congestion and energy wastage, while licensed bands are costly and inefficient for tiny IoT nodes, and there is a need for battery-less, energy-harvesting nodes that can transmit data intermittently.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing cellular wireless licensed bands, such as 4G LTE and 5G, with minimal disturbance to regular communications, by reusing licensed spectrum for IoT communications, employing code division multiple access, and a single-cell network system with synchronized base stations to provide reliable QoS and low power consumption, allowing for efficient data transmission and geolocation services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unlicensed bands protocols are used for IoT communications, then the ability of nodes to emit messages and reach any base station is improved, but the Quality of Service becomes unreliable and energy is wasted due to network congestion and frequent beacon listening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the licensed spectrum into multiple resource blocks and allocates specific resource blocks to different IoT nodes or groups of nodes. This segmentation allows for organized, interference-free communications while maintaining reliable QoS guarantees through controlled resource distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring resource allocations, QoS parameters, and transmission schedules before IoT nodes need to communicate. Base stations pre-establish resource pools and transmission opportunities, eliminating the need for nodes to continuously listen for beacons and reducing energy waste while ensuring reliable service when needed.
2Reliability
If licensed bands are reserved for IoT communications, then reliable QoS and network capacity are improved, but the cost increases and spectrum utilization becomes inefficient for tiny IoT nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes licensed spectrum universally usable for both traditional cellular communications and IoT communications through shared resource blocks. The same licensed band infrastructure serves multiple purposes: regular mobile traffic, IoT data transmission, and control signaling, eliminating the need for dedicated IoT spectrum while maintaining reliable QoS through intelligent resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters such as transmission power levels, modulation schemes, and resource allocation patterns dynamically based on traffic conditions and QoS requirements. This allows the system to adapt licensed band usage for IoT nodes without requiring separate spectrum allocation, reducing complexity while maintaining service reliability.
3Reliability
If licensed bands are used for IoT communications, then network capacity and QoS are improved, but the impact on regular communications and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by scheduling IoT transmissions in specific time windows and frames rather than continuous transmission. IoT nodes transmit data only during allocated uplink slots and listen for downlink assignments during designated periods, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable QoS through predictable, periodic communication patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by allocating only the necessary portion of network resources to IoT nodes based on their actual traffic needs. Instead of reserving full bandwidth or continuous resources, the system provides just enough resource blocks and transmission opportunities for IoT nodes to maintain reliable communications, minimizing impact on regular cellular services and reducing overall power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communications method synchronously transmits periodically from synchronized base stations of a single frequency network a common downlink synchronization signal (IoT-PSS) that underlays broadcasted signals transmitted in licensed bands of a cellular system, and a system frame number least significant bits signal (IoT-SFN-LSB) indicating timing of transmission of a system information block signal (IoT-SIB) that contains information related to downlink and uplink transmission schedules and allocations. An IoT device receives the common downlink synchronization signal and transmits uplink data only after receiving the synchronization signal and system frame number signal.