LTE Resource Block Group Allocation Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing resource block allocation methods in LTE downlink systems face high signaling overhead, particularly in separate coding, which limits flexibility and efficiency, especially when dealing with unrestricted allocation principles.
Innovation Solution
The method dynamically divides Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) into a maximum number of groups (N_g), allowing for group allocation indications to be signaled, reducing the number of bits required for each user from 50 to N_g bits in separate coding and using a bit mask or UE indexes in joint coding, thereby simplifying restrictions and enhancing flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unrestricted allocation principle is used in LTE downlink, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the set of Physical Resource Blocks into multiple groups, where each group contains a subset of PRBs. Instead of signaling allocation for each individual PRB (which would require 50 bits for 50 PRBs), the system signals allocation at the group level. This segmentation reduces the number of bits required for signaling while maintaining the ability to flexibly allocate resources across different groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by not signaling allocation status for every single PRB, but rather for groups of PRBs. This partial signaling approach reduces overhead while still providing sufficient flexibility for resource allocation. The system signals only the necessary information at the appropriate granularity level rather than exhaustive per-PRB signaling.
2Manufacturing precision
If per-resource block signaling is used, then allocation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting PRBs into groups and signaling at the group level, the patent reduces the complexity of the scheduling device. Instead of processing and signaling 50 individual PRB allocations, the system processes fewer group-level allocations, thereby reducing computational complexity and signaling overhead while maintaining adequate allocation precision through the group structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual PRB allocations into group-level allocations. By combining the signaling of individual PRBs into group-based signaling, the system reduces the number of signaling operations and simplifies the scheduler while still enabling precise resource allocation within each group through the group structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, user equipment, network device, and software product enable allocation of a number of resource blocks over a downlink to the user equipment. The resource blocks are grouped into a number of groups of the blocks, the number of groups being no greater than a maximum number. The resource blocks are arranged in an adjacent manner within each of the groups. The resource blocks are allocated by operating on the groups, and the allocation is signalled using a group allocation indication.