Mixed-Type Slot Allocation in Wireless Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless telecommunications systems using time division multiplexing, certain user equipment (UE) classes cannot fully exploit their multi-slot capabilities due to pairing requirements in RTTI TBFs, leading to underutilization of transmit and receive slots, especially when supporting multiple PDP contexts with different QoS parameters.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for network access equipment and UE to transmit and receive a mixed-type combination of slots using a single assignment message, combining RTTI and BTTI blocks to accommodate odd numbers of slots, allowing for flexible allocation of slots in both uplink and downlink directions, thereby optimizing slot usage without increasing signaling load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RTTI TBF pairing requirements are enforced, then transmission interval is reduced, but UE multi-slot capabilities cannot be fully exploited leading to slot underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the TBF into multiple independent TBFs, each satisfying RTTI pairing requirements, while collectively utilizing all available slots. This allows the system to maintain RTTI's short transmission interval benefit while overcoming the limitation of unable to use odd numbers of slots by distributing slot usage across multiple segmented TBFs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical structure where multiple TBFs are nested within a single PDP context. Each TBF is independently managed with its own assignment and allocation, but they work together to provide comprehensive slot utilization. This nested approach allows flexible combination of RTTI and BTTI blocks across different TBFs to match UE multi-slot capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple TBFs are used to support odd numbers of slots, then slot utilization improves, but signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal assignment message structure that can handle both RTTI and BTTI block types within a single PDP context. The assignment message includes flexible fields that can accommodate mixed-type slot combinations, eliminating the need for separate signaling for different TBF types and reducing overall signaling load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the assignment message parameters to include indicators for mixed-type slot combinations, allowing the network to dynamically adjust slot allocation between RTTI and BTTI modes based on UE capabilities and traffic requirements. This parameter flexibility enables efficient slot utilization without requiring multiple separate assignment messages.
3Device complexity
If single assignment message is used for mixed-type slot combinations, then signaling complexity is reduced, but allocation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slot allocation within the single assignment message by including fields that allow the network to specify different slot types (RTTI or BTTI) and their respective quantities. The assignment message can be dynamically adjusted based on current network conditions and UE capabilities, providing flexibility without requiring multiple static assignment messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary assignment message structure that acts as a mediator between the network's slot allocation decisions and the UE's multi-slot capabilities. This intermediate structure translates complex allocation requirements into a simplified single message format that the UE can process efficiently, while still supporting mixed-type slot combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for performing allocation of mixed-type combinations of slots are provided. Specifically, in a single assignment message, an allocation of slots over two frames and slots over four frames is performed. These can be RTTI and BTTI blocks for example.