Multi-Numerology Carrier Resource Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G mobile networks face challenges in supporting diverse use cases with varying requirements, such as low latency and robustness to delay spread, due to the need for flexible deployment and wide frequency range support, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively through proper resource allocation and interference management across different numerologies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using multiple numerologies within a single carrier, with distinct subcarrier spacings and alignments relative to a common frequency reference, allowing for dynamic resource allocation and interference cancellation, while inserting guard bands to manage interference between numerologies, enabling efficient coexistence and flexible deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple numerologies with different subcarrier spacings are used within a single carrier, then the system can support diverse use cases with varying latency and delay spread requirements, but interference management between different numerologies becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the frequency domain into multiple numerologies with different subcarrier spacings (e.g., 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz) that can be independently allocated to different services. Each numerology is treated as a separate resource grid, allowing independent optimization for specific use cases such as eMBB, URLLC, or mMTC while managing interference through structured resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension of subcarrier spacing variation beyond the traditional single numerology approach. By multiplying subcarrier spacings by integer factors (e.g., Δf2 = N×Δf1 where N is an integer), the system creates a multi-dimensional resource space that can accommodate diverse service requirements within the same carrier bandwidth.
2Reliability
If guard bands are inserted to manage interference between numerologies, then interference between different numerologies is reduced, but the usable bandwidth is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the subcarrier spacing parameter (Δf) for different numerologies according to integer multiplication factors. By carefully selecting these spacing values and their relationships, the patent minimizes spectral overlap and interference between numerologies, reducing the guard band requirements while maintaining reliable operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If resource blocks are aligned according to different subcarrier spacings relative to a common frequency reference, then flexible resource allocation is enabled, but the alignment and addressing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a universal frequency reference (Fref) that serves as a common anchor point for all numerologies. Each numerology's resource blocks are addressed relative to this universal reference using the formula m×Δf1+Fref or n×Δf2+Fref, enabling a single addressing mechanism to handle multiple numerologies with different subcarrier spacings.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a user equipment comprises addressing multi-subcarrier system resources using multiple different numerologies available within a single carrier, the multiple different numerologies comprising a first numerology having resource blocks (RBs) with a first bandwidth and a first subcarrier spacing, Δf1, and a second numerology having RBs with a second bandwidth and a second subcarrier spacing, Δf2, which is different from Δf1, wherein the first numerology is aligned in the frequency domain relative to a frequency reference, Fref, according to m*Δf1+Fref and the second numerology is aligned in the frequency domain relative to the frequency reference, Fref, according to n*Δf2+Fref, where m and n are integers. The method further comprises transmitting and/or receiving information within the single carrier according to the at least one of the multiple different numerologies.