Dynamic MBSFN Subframe Reconfiguration for Spectrum Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunication service providers face challenges in co-existence of multiple air-interface technologies like LTE and 5G NR-LTE over a shared spectrum, requiring efficient spectrum re-framing to ensure user experience and compliance with regulatory and industrial standards without the costly decommissioning of previous technologies.

Innovation Solution

A spectrum sharing system that dynamically re-configures subframes within a base station node as Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) subframes to facilitate communication over overlapping spectrums, using static, semi-static, or dynamic techniques based on market penetration and real-time network traffic data, ensuring efficient bandwidth allocation and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If spectrum re-framing is performed to deploy new air-interface technology, then new technology deployment is achieved, but decommissioning costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenew air-interface technology deploymentVSAvoiddecommissioning and re-purposing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges legacy and new air-interface technologies to co-exist over a common overlapping spectrum. This allows the network to support both LTE and 5G NR-LTE simultaneously without requiring complete decommissioning of legacy infrastructure, thereby reducing decommissioning costs and complexity while enabling gradual new technology deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic spectrum sharing where subframes are dynamically allocated between legacy and new air-interface technologies based on real-time network conditions and traffic demands. This dynamic approach allows flexible resource allocation without fixed decommissioning schedules, reducing the complexity associated with rigid re-purposing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple air-interface technologies co-exist over overlapping spectrum, then deployment costs are reduced, but spectrum interference and user experience degradation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment costVSAvoiduser experience and network performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spectrum into different subframes that are selectively allocated to legacy or new air-interface technologies. By dividing the spectrum resource into time-based segments, the system can prevent interference between technologies while maintaining cost-effective co-existence, thereby preserving user experience and network performance reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different subframe configurations to different geographic locations or network conditions. Subframes are selectively configured as MBSFN or non-MBSFN based on local traffic patterns and user experience requirements, ensuring that spectrum sharing does not degrade performance in specific areas while maintaining overall deployment cost efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If subframes are dynamically re-configured for spectrum sharing, then bandwidth allocation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth allocation efficiencyVSAvoidspectrum sharing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes key parameters such as subframe configuration, MBSFN subframe allocation, and spectrum sharing ratios dynamically based on network conditions. By adjusting these parameters in response to real-time traffic demands, the system achieves high bandwidth allocation efficiency while managing complexity through parameter-based control rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the spectrum sharing system continuously monitors network traffic, user experience metrics, and spectrum utilization. This feedback drives automatic adjustments in subframe configuration and resource allocation, achieving efficient bandwidth utilization while keeping system complexity manageable through closed-loop control rather than complex open-loop configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11134390B2Spectrum sharing system for telecommunications network traffic

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes a spectrum sharing system that is configured to identify bandwidth allocation criteria for spectrum sharing at a base station node, which has a first cell configured for communications via a first spectrum and a second cell configured for communications via a second spectrum. The spectrum sharing system may further determine a select number of subframes on the second cell for configuration as Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) subframes, based on the bandwidth allocation critical, and in doing so, generate spectrum sharing data for delivery to the base station node to dynamically configure the select number of subframes to support communications via the first spectrum.