NB-IoT Multicarrier Allocation Using PRB and NACK Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NB-IoT technologies face challenges in efficient resource allocation, leading to communication delays and increased costs due to the limited bandwidth and high number of devices, necessitating improved dynamic multicarrier allocation systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamic multicarrier allocation that selects the best ARFCN or PRB as a non-anchor carrier based on PRB utilization data and NACK percentage reports, optimizing resource utilization and minimizing frequency space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single anchor carrier of 180 kHz is allocated to NB-IoT devices, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but communication delays occur due to limited bandwidth when handling a huge number of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic carrier allocation where the network can flexibly assign anchor and non-anchor carriers based on real-time traffic conditions and device requirements. This allows the system to transition from a static single-carrier approach to a dynamic multi-carrier approach, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables carriers to serve multiple functions - anchor carriers handle RACH and paging while non-anchor carriers handle data transfer. This multi-functionality allows the system to efficiently manage multiple devices across different carrier types, reducing communication delays without increasing individual device complexity.
2Productivity
If another non-anchor carrier is allocated to NB-IoT enabled device, then data transfer capacity is increased, but frequency space and cost increase by requiring another 180 kHz bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the time dimension by implementing carrier aggregation with different carrier types (anchor and non-anchor) that can be activated based on traffic needs. This allows the system to increase data transfer capacity not by simply adding more frequency resources, but by intelligently managing existing resources across different carrier dimensions and time slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of carriers dynamically - anchor carriers operate continuously for control functions, while non-anchor carriers are activated only when data transfer is needed. This parameter change allows the system to optimize frequency space utilization by having carriers switch between different functional states based on real-time requirements.
3Reliability
If anchor carrier is utilized for RACH and paging process, then other NB-IoT enabled devices are served without delay, but the single carrier bandwidth is insufficient for handling a huge number of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier functions by separating control plane operations (RACH, paging) on anchor carriers from user plane operations (data transfer) on non-anchor carriers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable control signaling while simultaneously handling large numbers of devices through dedicated data carriers, resolving the contradiction between service reliability and device handling capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for resource allocation in a communication system is provided. The method comprises: receiving Physical Resource Block (PRB) utilization data corresponding to at least one of at least one time slot or a set of data packets, upon requesting for the PRB utilization data via a base station, the PRB utilization data including at least one PRB utilization duration; comparing the at least one PRB utilization duration included in the received PRB utilization data with a threshold PRB utilization duration; transmitting, a request for a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) percentage report corresponding to at least one of an Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN) or a PRB associated with at least one non-anchor carrier, in response to a determination that the at least one PRB utilization duration is less than the threshold PRB utilization duration; selecting at least one of the ARFCN or the PRB associated with the at least one non-anchor carrier for the at least one of the at least one time slot or the set of data packets, based on the PRB utilization data, the NACK percentage report and a pre-defined value for at least one of the ARFCN or the PRB; transmitting, to the base station, a notification indicating a representative of utilization of at least one of the ARFCN or the PRB associated with at least one non-anchor carrier; and allocating at least one of the ARFCN or the PRB associated with at least one non-anchor carrier to schedule one or more Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) enabled devices for data transfer corresponding to the selected at least one time slot.