Multicarrier Base Station Subcarrier Allocation for Mixed Bandwidth Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multicarrier communication systems, such as OFDMA, often operate with a fixed channel bandwidth, limiting their ability to communicate with subscriber stations that have different bandwidth profiles, leading to inefficiencies and the need for separate base stations for various bandwidth profiles.

Innovation Solution

A heterogeneous multicarrier base station dynamically allocates subcarriers based on subscriber station bandwidth profiles, using a single multicarrier communication channel to support both full-bandwidth and narrower-bandwidth stations by dividing the channel into subchannels, allowing for flexible subcarrier allocation and synchronization across different bandwidth profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a base station operates using a fixed channel bandwidth, then the base station can communicate with subscriber stations of the same bandwidth profile, but the base station cannot communicate with subscriber stations of different bandwidth profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth profile compatibilityVSAvoidbase station configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station divides the full channel bandwidth into multiple subchannels with different bandwidths. Each subchannel can be independently allocated to subscriber stations based on their bandwidth profiles. This segmentation allows the base station to simultaneously support both full-bandwidth and narrower-bandwidth subscriber stations using the same physical channel, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station dynamically allocates subchannels to subscriber stations based on their individual bandwidth profiles and communication needs. The allocation can change over time as subscriber stations enter or leave the network, or as their requirements change. This dynamic adaptation enables the base station to maintain high adaptability while managing complexity through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If separate base stations are used for different bandwidth profiles, then each base station can be optimized for its specific bandwidth profile, but the overall network complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication optimizationVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple bandwidth profiles simultaneously. By incorporating multiple subchannels with different bandwidths within a single base station, the system achieves universality where one base station can serve diverse subscriber stations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated base stations for each bandwidth profile while maintaining communication optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functionality of multiple separate base stations into a single heterogeneous base station that supports both full-bandwidth and narrower-bandwidth operations. This consolidation reduces network infrastructure complexity while preserving the reliability and optimization benefits by allowing all subscriber stations to connect to the same base station entity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a single base station supports multiple bandwidth profiles, then spectral utilization and network flexibility improve, but the base station must dynamically allocate subcarriers based on subscriber bandwidth profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral utilizationVSAvoidsubcarrier allocation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station changes the allocation parameters (which subchannels are assigned to which subscriber stations) dynamically based on real-time conditions. This includes adjusting subcarrier allocations according to subscriber bandwidth profiles, channel conditions, and traffic demands. By implementing flexible parameter changes, the system achieves high spectral utilization while managing the complexity through automated parameter adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7613242B2Method and system for multicarrier communication between a base station and subscribers of different bandwidths

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 APPLE INC

AI summary

A multicarrier base station communicates with subscriber stations of different bandwidth profiles by allocating time slots in downlink and uplink frames and subcarriers of a single multicarrier communication channel to various bandwidth subchannels.