Multi-Carrier Packet Communication Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, such as those based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, face inefficiencies due to significant control overhead in multi-carrier packet communication networks, particularly in managing multiple packet streams with different resource requirements, leading to low spectral efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system reduces control overhead by designating specific time-frequency zones for applications like VoIP, using modular coding schemes, and classifying packets based on application type and QoS parameters, which allows for reduced control information and improved control message formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple packet streams are established for each mobile station to support different applications, then flexibility to accommodate different applications is improved, but control overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time-frequency resource into dedicated zones for different application types (e.g., voice zone, video zone, data zone). Each zone is further divided into resource blocks that can be allocated to specific packet streams. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexibility for multiple applications while reducing control overhead by using zone-level identifiers rather than individual connection identifiers for each packet stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different resource allocation strategies to different zones based on their specific requirements. Voice zones use time-division multiplexing with fixed resource blocks, while data zones use more flexible frequency-division multiplexing. This allows optimized resource management for each application type without requiring uniform complex control mechanisms for all packet streams.
2Adaptability or versatility
If detailed resource allocation information is provided for each connection, then adaptability to different resource requirements is improved, but spectral efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fine-grained resource allocation parameters into coarser zone-level descriptors. Instead of specifying exact time slots and frequency subchannels for each connection, the system assigns connections to predefined zones with characteristic resource patterns. This merging reduces the amount of control information transmitted while maintaining the ability to accommodate different resource requirements through zone-based resource block allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-defining zones with specific resource allocation patterns before actual data transmission occurs. The time-frequency resource is divided into zones with predetermined resource block configurations, allowing the system to quickly allocate resources without needing to negotiate detailed parameters in real-time. This preliminary structuring reduces control overhead and improves spectral efficiency while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If MAP scheduling messages include comprehensive connection identification and resource allocation information, then connection management capability is improved, but message overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identification function from the detailed resource allocation information. By introducing zone identifiers that represent groups of resource blocks with similar characteristics, the system can identify connections at a coarser granularity. The zone ID combined with a resource block index within the zone provides sufficient identification without requiring full detailed resource specification in the MAP message, thereby reducing message overhead while maintaining connection management capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for minimizing the control overhead in a multi-carrier wireless communication network that utilizes a time-frequency resource is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more zones in the time-frequency resource are designated for particular applications, such as a zone dedicated for voice-over-IP (VoIP) applications. By grouping applications of a similar type together within a zone, a reduction in the number of bits necessary for mapping a packet stream to a portion of the time-frequency resource can be achieved. In some embodiments, modular coding schemes associated with the packet streams may be selected that further reduce the amount of necessary control information. In some embodiments, packets may be classified for transmission in accordance with application type, QoS parameters, and other properties. In some embodiments, improved control messages may be constructed to facilitate the control process and minimize associated overhead.