Multi-RAT Radio Planner Architecture for Resource Conflict Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-radio access technology (RAT) devices face complexity and inefficiency in adapting to new radio access technologies and features, leading to increased design costs, hardware modifications, and potential radio usage conflicts due to strong coupling between RATs and lack of common planning.

Innovation Solution

A non-RAT-centric software and hardware architecture that uses a radio planner to manage radio resources, a distributed database for decoupling data producers and consumers, and functional units configured by descriptors to perform transceiver processing functions across multiple RATs, enabling independent operation and resource sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a software architecture tailored to a specific RAT is used, then the device can efficiently support that RAT, but the device complexity increases when new RATs or features are added

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRAT support efficiencyVSAvoidsoftware architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the software architecture into independent, modular components that can be individually configured for different RATs. Each RAT-specific functionality is separated into discrete modules that can be added or removed without affecting the core architecture, thereby maintaining efficiency for supported RATs while preventing complexity accumulation when new RATs are introduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal software architecture framework that can accommodate multiple RATs through a common interface and configuration mechanism. This multi-functional design allows the same base architecture to efficiently support different RATs (GSM, WCDMA, LTE, etc.) by simply changing configuration parameters rather than modifying the core software structure, thus avoiding complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If legacy implementations are adapted to support new RATs, then multi-RAT capability is achieved, but design costs and development time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-RAT capabilityVSAvoiddesign cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing a configurable software architecture framework in advance that anticipates future RAT requirements. This pre-built framework includes standardized interfaces and parameter structures that can accommodate new RATs without requiring extensive redesign, thereby reducing design costs when adapting to new technologies while maintaining multi-RAT capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple RATs share common hardware resources, then hardware utilization efficiency improves, but radio usage conflicts increase due to lack of coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware utilization efficiencyVSAvoidradio usage conflict

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a radio planner function as an intermediary layer between multiple RATs and shared hardware resources. This mediator coordinates resource allocation, manages timing relationships, and resolves potential conflicts by scheduling radio access according to a unified time base, thereby maintaining high hardware utilization efficiency while preventing radio usage conflicts through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If a centralized control architecture is used, then resource management is simplified, but interrupt loads and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol architecture simplicityVSAvoidinterrupt load

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control architecture into distributed control entities that operate semi-independently within their designated functional areas. This segmentation reduces the frequency and volume of interrupts required for centralized coordination, as each segment can make local decisions without constantly communicating with a central controller, thereby simplifying resource management while reducing processing overhead and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8838120B2Methods and systems for a generic multi-radio access technology

Publication Date: 2014.09.16 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Generic devices, systems and methods for multiple radio access technologies (RATs) are described. A platform for allocating radio resources among a plurality of radio access technology (RAT) modules can include, for example, radio hardware configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface using the plurality of RATs; and a radio planner connected to the radio hardware and configured to receive radio time reservation requests, each of which requests includes a priority value for the radio time reservation request, and to determine whether to grant or deny each of the radio time reservation requests based at least in part on the priority values.