Bandwidth Segmentation for LTE-A Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy LTE terminals in wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing larger bandwidths and managing advanced frequency bands, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and power consumption issues, especially when coexisting with advanced terminals.

Innovation Solution

Implementing bandwidth segmentation by using a single carrier to support both legacy and advanced terminals, where legacy terminals receive a legacy frequency band segment and advanced terminals receive a contiguous advanced frequency band, with a scheduler allocating resources and transmitting control regions to manage data regions effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If legacy LTE terminals operate in larger bandwidths with advanced frequency bands, then resource allocation efficiency improves, but power consumption increases and compatibility issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the frequency band into multiple segments: a legacy frequency band segment for legacy terminals and a contiguous advanced frequency band segment for advanced terminals. This segmentation allows legacy terminals to operate only in their compatible frequency range, reducing power consumption while maintaining resource allocation efficiency for both terminal types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single carrier supports both legacy and advanced terminals, then backward compatibility is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single carrier is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both legacy and advanced terminals simultaneously. The eNodeB transmits control regions and data regions that can be interpreted by both terminal types, with the carrier serving as a universal interface that adapts to different terminal capabilities through bandwidth segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If legacy terminals access advanced frequency bands, then bandwidth utilization improves, but signal interference and control complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the advanced frequency band segment from the legacy frequency band segment, creating separate operational zones. Legacy terminals are confined to the legacy segment while advanced terminals utilize the contiguous advanced segment, eliminating signal interference between terminal types and simplifying control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2417725B1Bandwidth segmentation and multi-segment operation and control

Publication Date: 2018.05.16 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Bandwidth segmentation according to a one carrier approach conveyed in a main information block (MIB) supports a plurality of contiguous frequency segments with one frequency segment seen by legacy terminals and the whole bandwidth seen by advanced terminals. Control regions either within data regions of a legacy frequency band segment or with one or two contiguous advanced frequency band segments separated by the legacy frequency band segment are communicated to advanced terminals in system information blocks (SIBs) or conveyed to an advanced UE by dedicated signaling.