Multicast Resource Configuration for Limited Bandwidth IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NB-IoT, lack efficient support for multicast downlink transmission to wireless devices with limited bandwidth, leading to impaired ability to receive and transmit multicast data, which is crucial for IoT use cases like firmware updates and command transmissions to multiple devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Configuring wireless devices with multiple sets of time-frequency resources, where one set is used for regular information transmission and another set is dedicated for simultaneous multicast data transmission, allowing for different frequencies and transmission time periods to enhance capacity and coverage for devices with limited bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless devices with limited bandwidth receive multicast data using conventional single-set time-frequency resources, then the transmission can be simplified, but the capacity and coverage for receiving multicast data is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time-frequency resources into multiple distinct sets (first set for unicast, second set for multicast). This segmentation allows devices with limited bandwidth to receive both types of data simultaneously without interference, resolving the contradiction by providing dedicated resources for multicast while maintaining overall system simplicity through clear resource separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension of resource allocation by configuring multiple sets of time-frequency resources rather than relying on a single set. This dimensional expansion enables the system to accommodate both unicast and multicast traffic for bandwidth-limited devices, enhancing multicast reception capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple sets of time-frequency resources are configured for multicast transmission, then capacity and coverage are enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal resource configuration where the network node manages multiple time-frequency resource sets that serve dual purposes: the first set handles unicast communication while the second set is dedicated to multicast. This multi-functionality approach enhances transmission capacity for multicast while keeping the configuration manageable through standardized network-controlled allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in time-frequency resource allocation, where the network dynamically assigns different time periods and frequency ranges to different resource sets. By varying these parameters systematically, the system achieves enhanced multicast capacity and coverage while maintaining configuration simplicity through network-controlled parameter adjustment rather than device-side complexity.
3Device complexity
If conventional single-set time-frequency resources are used, then device complexity is reduced, but battery consumption and resource usage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting time-frequency resources into dedicated sets for unicast and multicast, the patent enables devices to efficiently switch between receiving different data types without continuous monitoring of all resources. This segmentation reduces the effective monitoring burden and allows devices to optimize their power consumption by activating only the necessary resource sets, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Method by a first network node in a wireless communications network. The network comprises a first group of wireless devices supporting transmission with a first bandwidth under a threshold and a second group supporting transmission with a second bandwidth over the threshold. The first network node configures a wireless device in the first group having a first set of time-frequency resources to carry a first type of information with: at least one second set to carry a second type. The second type is to be transmitted simultaneously to the first group. The first type is to be transmitted to at least one of: i) the first group and the second group, and ii) the wireless device. The first set and the at least one second set of time-frequency resources are in different sets of frequencies or are in different transmission time periods, or both.