LTE-NR Wireless Resource Allocation with Spatially Shared Guard Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing PRB level spectrum sharing scheme for LTE and NR is inefficient for non-continuous allocations, leading to significant frequency resource waste due to the need for numerous guard bands to mitigate inter-carrier interference, while restricting diversity gains or reserving excessive resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for resource allocation that spatially multiplexes frequency bands between LTE and NR UEs, allowing partial overlap and shared use of guard bands, while distinguishing between broadcasting and non-broadcasting channels to optimize spectrum usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guard bands are configured to overcome inter-carrier interference in non-continuous PRB allocation, then interference between LTE and NR is mitigated, but spectrum resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guard band resources of LTE and NR in the spatial domain by allocating overlapping frequency bands to both systems. Instead of separating LTE and NR allocations with guard bands, the invention allows both systems to share the same frequency resources simultaneously through spatial multiplexing, thereby eliminating guard band waste while maintaining interference mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from frequency-domain separation to spatial-domain multiplexing. By introducing the spatial dimension (different spatial QCL assumptions) as a new resource dimension, the system can support non-continuous PRB allocation without requiring guard bands, thus resolving the contradiction between interference mitigation and spectrum efficiency.
2Productivity
If continuous PRB allocation is used in PRB level spectrum sharing, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but flexibility for non-continuous allocation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic spatial QCL assumptions that can be independently configured for different UEs and different frequency bands. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adaptively switch between continuous and non-continuous allocation patterns based on channel conditions and traffic requirements, achieving both high spectrum efficiency and allocation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different spatial QCL assumptions locally to different UEs and different frequency bands rather than using a uniform allocation scheme. This allows continuous allocation in regions where it is beneficial for spectrum efficiency while enabling non-continuous allocation in regions where flexibility is needed, thus resolving the contradiction through localized optimization.
3Reliability
If guard bands are reserved for non-continuous PRB allocation, then interference protection is maintained, but resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables LTE and NR to self-organize their allocations in the spatial domain through independent spatial QCL assumptions. Each system can autonomously utilize the same frequency resources without requiring pre-configured guard bands, as the spatial separation through different QCL assumptions naturally provides interference protection while maximizing resource utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure discloses methods and devices for wireless communication. Specifically, a method for resource allocation at a network device is provided. The method includes allocating a first frequency band to at least one first terminal device utilizing a first radio access technology (RAT), and allocating a second frequency band to at least one second terminal device utilizing a second RAT. The first frequency band is at least partly overlapped with the second frequency band, and the overlapped part of the first and second frequency bands is spatially multiplexed between the at least one first terminal device and the at least one second terminal device.