Narrowband Uplink Resource Allocation for Control Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently allocating time and frequency resources for uplink control information in narrowband communication, particularly for narrowband UE devices, which often support low throughput and are power-efficient but require optimized resource allocation to maximize transmission capacity and minimize transmission times.

Innovation Solution

The method involves identifying time and frequency resources for narrowband communication, allocating these resources to a UL channel to optimize UE device transmission capacity, and allocating resources to multiple UE devices using techniques such as cross-slot code division multiplexing, frequency domain multiplexing, and intra-resource block frequency hopping, while also considering coverage enhancement levels and channel state information approximation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If narrowband resources are allocated to multiple channels and signals, then narrowband communication capability is enabled, but resource allocation efficiency and transmission capacity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenarrowband communication capabilityVSAvoidtransmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments narrowband resources by creating separate resource pools for different purposes: one pool for narrowband physical channels (NPBCH, NPDSCH, NPUSCH) and another pool for narrowband physical signals (NRS, NSS). This segmentation allows efficient resource allocation within each pool while maintaining overall narrowband communication capability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If dedicated scheduling request mapped to PUCCH is implemented, then frequent packet arrivals are supported, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket arrival handling capabilityVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where UEs autonomously select resources from pre-configured pools for scheduling requests and other uplink transmissions. The base station provides resource pools and allocation rules, but individual UEs make their own resource selections without dedicated scheduling requests, reducing control signaling complexity while maintaining support for frequent packet arrivals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If resources are allocated to optimize UE device transmission capacity, then transmission efficiency is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the base station configures resource pools and allocation parameters adaptively based on network conditions, UE capabilities, and traffic patterns. Resource pool configurations, including time-frequency resources and modulation schemes, can be dynamically adjusted through RRC signaling to optimize transmission efficiency while managing allocation complexity through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3576476B1Techniques for allocating time and frequency resources to an uplink channel to carry uplink control information used for narrowband communication
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3576476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3576476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3576476B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are described for wireless communication. A method for wireless communication at a base station includes identifying time resources and frequency resources for narrowband communication in a plurality of subframes, identifying a plurality of user equipment (UE) devices, allocating a first portion of the time resources and the frequency resources to an uplink (UL) channel to carry UL control information, and allocating resources of the UL channel to the identified UE devices. A method for wireless communication at a UE device includes identifying time resources and frequency resources for narrowband communication in a plurality of subframes, receiving an indication of at least a first portion of the time resources and the frequency resources allocated to a UL channel to carry UL control information for the UE device, and transmitting one or both of downlink acknowledgements (ACKs) and downlink non-acknowledgements (NAKs) on the UL channel.