Frequency Resource Selection for NB-IoT Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) scheduling technologies do not adequately account for frequency-selective radio channels, particularly for static client devices experiencing poor radio conditions, leading to inefficient resource allocation and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A system and method where a base station receives feedback and measures channel qualities from static client devices to select optimal downlink and uplink frequency resources, scheduling transmissions on the best available resources to improve radio conditions, thereby enhancing data transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual configuration of frequency resources is used for NB-IoT carriers, then device complexity is reduced, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient consideration of frequency-selective radio channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling complexityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment measures channel quality on candidate frequency resources and reports back to the base station. The base station uses this feedback information to dynamically select and allocate frequency resources, transforming manual static configuration into automated dynamic allocation based on real-time channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from static manual configuration to dynamic automated allocation. The base station continuously adapts frequency resource allocation based on measured channel qualities and feedback from user equipment, allowing the system to respond to changing radio conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through algorithmic automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If channel aware time-frequency scheduling is implemented, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for measurements and feedback mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement and feedback complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies partial action by having user equipment measure and provide feedback only on a selected subset of candidate frequency resources rather than all available resources. The base station performs measurements on this subset and uses the resulting feedback information to make informed allocation decisions, reducing the overall measurement and feedback burden while maintaining scheduling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If frequency resources are allocated without considering frequency-selective channels, then system simplicity is maintained, but performance deteriorates for static devices experiencing poor radio conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary measurements and evaluations of candidate frequency resources before final allocation decisions are made. The base station proactively identifies suitable frequency resources by measuring channel qualities in advance and uses this pre-evaluated information to make reliable allocation decisions, ensuring that devices receive resources appropriate to their channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3656168B1Selecting a subset of frequency resources based on measurements of candidate frequency resources
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 KONINK KPN NV
  • EP3656168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3656168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3656168B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of scheduling transmissions to client devices comprises receiving feedback (f1a-f3d) about a plurality of candidate downlink frequency resources (91-94) from a plurality of client devices and/or measuring channel qualities of a plurality of candidate uplink frequency resources (95-98) from receptions of transmissions, e.g. of the feedback, by the plurality of client devices. The method further comprises selecting a subset (92) of the plurality of candidate downlink frequency resources and/or a subset (96) of the plurality of the candidate uplink frequency resources based on the received feedback and/or the measured channel qualities. The method further comprises scheduling transmissions (dd1-3) to the client devices on the selected subset of candidate downlink frequency resources and/or transmissions (ud1-3) from the client devices on the selected subset of uplink frequency resources.