LTE Data Transmission for Low-Capability Devices Using Frequency Block Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-cost wireless devices, particularly machine-type communication (MTC) devices, face challenges in supporting the LTE standard due to high processing requirements, while LTE networks are overwhelmed by the potential load of MTC devices switching to LTE, necessitating an adaptation to reduce processing resources and signaling overhead.

Innovation Solution

A method for data transmission in LTE networks where wireless devices are assigned to a group of low capability devices, with data transmitted in a specific frequency block during a scheduling period, and only one subframe dedicated to each device, reducing the need for extensive processing and bandwidth usage, while allowing parallel handling of multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If LTE standard is implemented in MTC devices, then data transmission capability is improved, but processing power requirements and device cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidprocessing power requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency band into multiple frequency blocks, where each MTC device is assigned to monitor only one specific frequency block instead of the entire bandwidth. This segmentation reduces the processing burden on low-cost devices while maintaining LTE data transmission capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different frequency block assignments to different MTC devices based on their specific needs and capabilities. Each device receives tailored configuration information for its assigned frequency block, optimizing resource usage and reducing individual device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If all MTC devices switch to LTE networks, then communication capability is improved, but network load and signaling overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple MTC devices into shared frequency blocks, where multiple devices can be served within the same frequency block using different time resources or resource blocks. This merging approach reduces overall network signaling overhead and load compared to dedicating separate resources to each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal frequency block structure that can serve multiple MTC devices simultaneously. The base node can dynamically allocate resources within each frequency block to serve different devices, making the frequency block a multi-functional resource that handles multiple communication tasks efficiently.

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

3Speed

If full LTE bandwidth is allocated to each MTC device, then data transmission rate is improved, but bandwidth requirements and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidbandwidth requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total LTE bandwidth into multiple smaller frequency blocks, assigning each MTC device to monitor only one segment. This segmentation reduces the bandwidth requirements for each individual device while maintaining adequate data transmission rates for MTC applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by allocating only the necessary portion of the total bandwidth to each MTC device through frequency block assignment. Instead of providing full LTE bandwidth to every device, each device receives just enough bandwidth (one frequency block) to meet its specific communication needs, reducing overall resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3231121B1Method for data transmission in a cellular network to low-capability devices
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 THALES DIS AIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP3231121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3231121B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3231121B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for data transmission in a cellular network to a wireless device, the cellular network supporting long term evolution standard, the wireless device being assigned to a group of low capability devices, the cellular network further comprising a plurality of base nodes, the plurality of base nodes comprising an active base node, which is the base node the wireless device is currently associated to, wherein a data connection with the wireless device is established, the active base node being configured to downlink communicate on a frequency band comprising a plurality of frequency blocks comprising a plurality of subcarriers, the method comprising: - the active base node transmitting data to the wireless device in a frequency block, being during a scheduling period the only frequency block providing data to said wireless device, - submitting the data dedicated for the wireless device in one first subframe of the frequency block, followed by at least one second subframe without data dedicated to the wireless device.