Narrowband Region Allocation for Multicast Broadcast in eMTC NB-IoT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently supporting multicast/broadcast for enhanced machine type communications (eMTC) and narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), particularly in determining optimal narrowband regions within wideband channels for effective information transmission and reception.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves determining and utilizing narrowband regions within wideband channels for multicast or broadcast information transmission and reception, allowing wireless devices to efficiently receive and transmit information in specific subframes, thereby optimizing communication in eMTC and NB-IoT networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wideband channels are used for multicast/broadcast transmission, then transmission capacity is improved, but interference and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wideband channel into multiple narrowband regions, allowing multicast/broadcast information to be transmitted in specific narrowband subframes. This segmentation reduces interference by isolating multicast traffic from unicast traffic in different frequency regions, while still providing adequate transmission capacity through selective use of narrowband resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If narrowband regions are used for multicast/broadcast transmission, then interference is reduced, but transmission capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidtransmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic allocation of narrowband regions for multicast/broadcast transmission. The network can flexibly configure which narrowband regions are used for multicast/broadcast in different subframes, allowing optimization of transmission capacity based on traffic demands while maintaining interference reduction benefits. This dynamic approach enables adaptive resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If narrowband regions are determined for multicast/broadcast, then device complexity is reduced, but configuration flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal narrowband region configuration that can serve multiple purposes: multicast/broadcast transmission, reduced complexity for eMTC/NB-IoT devices, and flexible adaptation to different traffic scenarios. The configured narrowband regions can be dynamically assigned for different multicast/broadcast services, providing both simplicity and versatility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3466127B1Multicast and/or broadcast for enhanced machine type communications and/or narrowband internet-of-things
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3466127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3466127B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3466127B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for multicast/broadcast for enhanced machine type communications (eMTC) and/or narrowband internet-of-things (NB-IoT). In one aspect, a method is provided which may be performed by a wireless device such as a user equipment (UE), which can be a low cost device such as an eMTC UE or NB-IoT device. The method generally includes determining at least one narrowband region of a wideband region for receiving at least one of: multicast information or broadcast information in at least one subframe; and receiving the at least one of: the multicast information or the broadcast information in the determined at least one narrowband region in the at least one subframe.