Multicast Frequency Resource Allocation Across Flexible 5G BWPs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G NR multicast technologies lack effective control channel enhancements for frequency domain resource allocation, leading to inefficiencies and complexity in scheduling multicast traffic due to varying bandwidth configurations among terminal devices.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism is introduced where a first device provides assistance information to a second device to identify group-common frequency resources for multicast traffic, allowing flexible BWP configurations and simplified blind decoding, enabling simultaneous scheduling of unicast and multicast traffic within the same slot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If frequency resources for multicast traffic are statically allocated, then resource allocation is simple and deterministic, but frequency resources cannot be dynamically adjusted according to actual traffic demands leading to waste or insufficient resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resource adaptabilityVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frequency resource allocation for multicast traffic by allowing the network to adjust the number of frequency resources allocated to multicast services based on actual traffic demands. The system transitions from static pre-configuration to dynamic allocation where resources can be increased or decreased flexibly according to service requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through controlled dynamic adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the allocation parameters of frequency resources from fixed static values to dynamically adjustable parameters. By modifying the number of frequency resources allocated to multicast traffic based on demand metrics, the system achieves better adaptability while managing complexity through parameter optimization rather than structural overhauls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If frequency resources are allocated before scheduling, then resource availability is guaranteed, but resource utilization efficiency decreases due to inability to adjust to actual traffic patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidresource availability guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring frequency resource pools and establishing allocation rules before actual multicast traffic scheduling occurs. This ensures resource availability is guaranteed through advance preparation while maintaining the flexibility to adjust actual allocation based on real-time traffic patterns, thus achieving both reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic adjustment of frequency resource allocation based on actual multicast traffic demands. Resources are pre-prepared but their actual allocation varies dynamically according to service requirements, enabling the system to guarantee availability through pre-configuration while optimizing utilization efficiency through demand-based adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If separate frequency resources are allocated for unicast and multicast traffic, then quality of service for each is guaranteed, but overall frequency resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of service guaranteeVSAvoidfrequency resource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges frequency resource management for unicast and multicast traffic into a unified allocation framework. By combining the resource pools and using a single scheduling entity to allocate resources to both service types based on actual demands, the system maintains QoS guarantees for both unicast and multicast while improving overall frequency resource utilization efficiency through shared resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal frequency resource allocation mechanism that serves both unicast and multicast traffic types. The same frequency resource pool and scheduling principles are applied universally to different service types, ensuring QoS for each while eliminating the inefficiency of separate dedicated resource allocations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4211957B1Frequency domain resource allocation for multicast traffic
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4211957B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4211957B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4211957B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to frequency domain resource allocation for multicast traffic. A method comprises: receiving, at a first device and from a core network element, multicast traffic to be scheduled for a second device; generating assistance information for the second device, the assistance information enabling the second device to identify, within a bandwidth part configured for the second device, a frequency domain resource allocated for the multicast traffic; and transmitting the assistance information to the second device. The method further comprises: receiving, at the second device, the assistance information from a first device; and determining the frequency domain resource from downlink control information based on the assistance information. In this way, a significant flexibility to schedule multicast traffic can be provided, and a significant complexity reduction to a terminal device can be provided.