Frequency Hopping Pattern for MTC Coverage Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine Type Communication (MTC) equipment, such as electricity meters, often face coverage challenges due to their low-cost and small Radio Frequency (RF) bandwidth, particularly when placed in metal cabinets, and existing solutions for coverage enhancement are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
An information transmission method and apparatus that employs frequency hopping on a repeated channel, determined by a frequency hopping pattern based on time domain frequency hopping granularity, available subbands, TDD uplink and downlink configuration, and cell identifier, to improve coverage by optimizing the transmission on specified physical resource blocks (PRBs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive repetition of channels is used for coverage enhancement, then coverage is improved, but the number of repetitions increases system complexity and reduces transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the frequency domain characteristics of repeated channels through frequency hopping. Instead of repeating channels on the same frequency resources, the system hops to different frequency resources for each repetition, changing the frequency parameter to achieve diversity gain and improve coverage while maintaining efficient transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through frequency hopping patterns where channels are repeated at periodic intervals with frequency shifts. The frequency hopping occurs at defined periods (e.g., every 2 slots or subframes), creating a periodic transmission structure that provides both coverage enhancement and frequency diversity
2Reliability
If frequency hopping is applied to repeated channels, then frequency diversity gain is achieved and coverage is improved, but the system requires more complex frequency resource management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter dynamically through hopping patterns defined by formulas such as n_RB = n_RB_start + (floor(n_s/2) mod N_freq_hop). This mathematical parameter change provides systematic frequency diversity while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized hopping rules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making frequency resources time-varying through frequency hopping. The frequency position is not static but changes over time according to the hopping pattern, allowing the system to adapt to varying channel conditions while providing frequency diversity for improved reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If MTC equipment uses small RF bandwidth for low cost, then device cost is reduced, but coverage capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-frequency transmission approach to multi-frequency hopping across the frequency dimension. By exploiting the frequency dimension for hopping, the system compensates for the limited RF bandwidth of low-cost MTC devices, achieving better coverage without increasing device complexity or cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing frequency hopping to vary the operating frequency parameter over time. This allows low-cost devices with small RF bandwidth to access multiple frequency resources through hopping, effectively extending their coverage capability without requiring expensive wideband hardware
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an information transmission method and apparatus, which relate to wireless communication. The method includes determining a frequency hopping pattern; and sending uplink information on a specified physical resource block (PRB) according to the frequency hopping pattern, or receiving or detecting downlink information on the specified PRB according to the frequency hopping pattern. The frequency hopping pattern is determined according to at least one of the following information: a time domain frequency hopping granularity; an available subframe set; an available subband set; a time division duplex (TDD) uplink and downlink configuration; a number of PRBs included in each available subband; and an cell identifier of a cell in which a terminal currently resides.