Frequency Hopping for Narrowband Multicast Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 5G NR and other multi-access technologies, face challenges in efficiently supporting narrowband wireless communication and multicast transmissions for devices like FeMTC and NB-IOT, which require improved frequency hopping mechanisms to exploit frequency diversity and enhance communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing frequency hopping for multicast control and traffic channels in wireless communication systems, where base stations transmit indicators to UEs about hopping enablement and configuring hopping patterns based on specific parameters, allowing UEs to determine and use appropriate hopping patterns for receiving multicast transmissions across multiple subframes and narrow bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency hopping is implemented for multicast transmissions, then frequency diversity is exploited and transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase for narrowband devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying frequency parameters through hopping patterns. The base station configures hopping patterns with specific parameters (hopping bandwidth, hopping offset, hopping period) that allow the UE to transmit narrowband signals across different frequency resources, thereby exploiting frequency diversity without requiring complex device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple narrowbands and divides the hopping pattern into discrete steps. The UE hops between segmented frequency resources (narrowbands) in a systematic manner, allowing frequency diversity exploitation while maintaining simple narrowband signal processing at the device level
2Productivity
If frequency hopping patterns are configured with multiple parameters, then frequency resource optimization is improved, but signaling overhead and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the hopping pattern configuration universal by using a standardized set of parameters (hopping bandwidth, hopping offset, hopping period) that can be applied to different multicast transmission scenarios. This multi-functional approach allows the same parameter set to optimize various frequency hopping cases, reducing the need for scenario-specific configurations and minimizing signaling overhead
3Productivity
If narrowband devices use frequency hopping for multicast transmissions, then communication capacity and coverage are improved, but power consumption and device energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the hopping period parameter, where the UE returns to the original narrowband after hopping to other frequency resources. This periodic structure allows the device to efficiently manage power by predictable cycling through frequency resources, enabling capacity improvement while controlling energy consumption through regular, manageable transmission cycles
Data Source
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AI summary
Various features related to frequency hopping for broadcast/multicast transmissions for narrow band devices are described. To exploit frequency diversity, multicast transmissions may be frequency hopped. In an aspect, a UE maybe configured to receive a signal, e.g., from a base station, including at least one of a first hopping indicator indicating whether frequency hopping is enabled for a multicast control channel or a second hopping indicator indicating whether frequency hopping is enabled for a multicast traffic channel, and determine whether frequency hopping is enabled for the at least one of the multicast control or traffic channel based on the received signal. The UE may further determine at least one hopping pattern for receiving multicast transmissions in the at least one of the multicast control channel or the multicast traffic channel when the frequency hopping is enabled, and receive the multicast transmissions based on the determined at least one hopping parttern.