NB-IoT UE Scheduling Method for NPDCCH Subframe Determination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing NB-IoT scheduling method for user equipment (UE) is inefficient, requiring UE to perform numerous calculations within a limited time to determine available subframes for NPDCCH, especially for low-cost and low-power-consumption devices, which leads to heavy computational loads.
Innovation Solution
A scheduling method that involves synchronizing with a cell, receiving system information parameters, establishing a list of available subframes, calculating the start and end subframes of NPDCCH repetitions, and searching this list to determine if a target subframe is an NPDCCH candidate, thereby reducing the need for iterative checks in the time domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional NB-IoT scheduling method is used, then the UE can determine available subframes for NPDCCH, but the computational load becomes heavy especially for low-cost and low-power-consumption devices
Solution Approach 1:
The network side pre-calculates and determines the available subframes for NPDCCH based on system information parameters (maximum number of repetitions, period, offset) before the UE needs to use them. This preliminary determination eliminates the need for the UE to perform complex iterative calculations, significantly reducing computational load and power consumption while maintaining scheduling accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network side acts as a mediator that performs the computationally intensive subframe determination task. Instead of the UE directly calculating available subframes through iterative checks, the network side prepares this information in advance, making it available to the UE without requiring the UE to perform heavy computations
2Measurement precision
If the UE performs iterative checks to determine available subframes, then accurate scheduling can be achieved, but the calculation time exceeds the limited subframe duration
Solution Approach 1:
The available subframes are determined in advance by the network side using system information parameters (maximum number of repetitions, period, offset) before the UE needs to perform scheduling operations. This preliminary action ensures that when the UE needs to schedule NPDCCH, the available subframe information is already prepared, eliminating time-consuming iterative checks while maintaining scheduling precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing real-time iterative calculations to determine available subframes, the UE receives pre-determined subframe information from the network side. This copying approach allows the UE to use the pre-calculated scheduling information directly, significantly reducing calculation time while maintaining the same scheduling accuracy that would result from iterative checks
3Productivity
If the UE performs numerous calculations to determine NPDCCH subframes, then scheduling can be completed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network side performs the computationally intensive task of determining available NPDCCH subframes in advance using system information parameters (maximum number of repetitions, period, offset). This preliminary determination simplifies the UE's role to merely receiving and using the pre-determined subframe information, maintaining scheduling throughput while dramatically reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The network side serves as an intermediary that handles the complex subframe determination logic. By offloading this computational task from the UE to the network side, the patent maintains scheduling productivity while reducing the computational complexity requirements for the UE, making it feasible for low-cost and low-power devices
Data Source
AI summary
A scheduling method for user equipment (UE) of NB-IoT is provided. The scheduling method includes: synchronizing to a cell; receiving from the cell at least one system information parameter that includes a maximum number of repetitions, periods, and offsets of NPDCCH search spaces; establishing a list according to the at least one system information parameter, the list recording multiple available subframes and each available subframe being labeled with an index; calculating a numeral of a start subframe of target NPDCCH repetitions according to a numeral of a target subframe, the period, and the offset; searching the list for a start index corresponding to the start subframe using the numeral of the start subframe; searching the list for a target index corresponding to the target subframe; determining whether the target subframe is within the interval of the target NPDCCH repetitions; and determining whether the target subframe is an NPDCCH candidate subframe.