LTE Terminal Frequency Band Segmentation for Reduced Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE network technologies require complex and expensive radio transceivers for low-capability devices to operate, due to the need to support full bandwidth operation, which increases costs and complexity, and existing solutions like virtual carriers face inefficiencies in spectrum partitioning and require significant changes to standards.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station communicates with terminal devices using physical-layer control information across the entire system frequency band, while transmitting higher-layer data within a predetermined restricted frequency band, which is smaller and defined by the system standards, allowing devices to operate with reduced processing and memory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LTE networks use full bandwidth operation for data transmission, then data rate and network capacity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is segmented into two distinct parts: a first frequency band for physical-layer control information (PDCCH) and a second frequency band for higher-layer data (PDSCH). This segmentation allows low-capability devices to operate with reduced bandwidth by only monitoring the control information band, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of service are provided for different devices based on their capability. High-capability devices can utilize the full bandwidth for both control and data transmission, while low-capability devices are allocated a restricted frequency band for control information only. This local differentiation optimizes resource allocation without compromising overall system performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If low-capability devices are supported on LTE networks, then device versatility is improved, but processing and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum is divided such that low-capability devices only need to process signals within a restricted frequency band for control information, rather than the entire system bandwidth. This segmentation directly reduces the processing and memory requirements for low-capability devices while maintaining their compatibility with the LTE network.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring low-capability devices to process the entire bandwidth (excessive action), the system provides only the necessary portion of the frequency band (partial action) for control information reception. This partial approach enables low-capability devices to function adequately without the full processing burden.
3Reliability
If control information is transmitted across the entire system frequency band, then frequency diversity and reliability are improved, but device processing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
Control information transmission is segmented from data transmission in the frequency domain. By concentrating control information within a restricted frequency band rather than spreading it across the entire system bandwidth, the system maintains frequency diversity benefits for reliability while significantly reducing the processing burden on low-capability devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A method communicating data between a base station and a terminal device in a wireless telecommunications system, for example an LTE-based system. The wireless communication system uses plural frequency sub-carriers spanning a system frequency band. Physical-layer control information for the terminal device is transmitted from the base station using sub-carriers selected from across the system frequency band, for example to provide frequency diversity. However, higher-layer data for the terminal device is transmitted using only sub-carriers selected from within a restricted frequency band which is smaller than and within the system frequency band. The terminal device is aware of the restricted frequency band, and as such need only buffer and process data within this restricted frequency band during periods where higher-layer data is being transmitted. The terminal device buffers and processes the full system frequency band during periods when physical-layer control information is being transmitted.