NB IoT Uplink Resource Allocation via Subcarrier Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LTE and LTE-Advanced technologies are inefficient for IoT devices due to high power consumption and cost, and limited wireless resources, making it challenging to support a large number of IoT devices with stable network connections, especially when they intermittently transmit small amounts of data.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves configuring wireless resources for uplink data channels in NB IoT user equipment using subcarrier indication fields and subcarrier spacing information received from a base station, allowing for dynamic allocation of wireless resources for both single-tone and multi-tone transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If typical LTE or LTE-Advanced technology is used for IoT devices, then network connection stability is improved, but power consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of LTE by reducing the bandwidth from typical LTE bandwidth to a narrowband of 180 kHz, and adjusting subcarrier spacing to 3.75 kHz or 15 kHz. This parameter change enables IoT devices to achieve network connection stability with significantly reduced power consumption and device cost, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If a large number of IoT devices are installed in a wide area, then device coverage is improved, but wireless resources become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless spectrum by introducing narrowband operation at 180 kHz, which allows multiple narrowband channels to be multiplexed within the licensed band. This segmentation enables the system to support a large number of IoT devices across a wide area by dividing the total wireless resource into multiple smaller, manageable narrowband resources, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage area and available wireless resources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If NB IoT uses narrowband for communication, then device cost and power consumption are reduced, but transmission method complexity increases due to single-tone and multi-tone options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic transmission method selection where the base station can configure NB IoT devices to use either single-tone or multi-tone transmission methods based on real-time channel conditions and device capabilities. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between power consumption and transmission reliability, managing the complexity by making the transmission method flexible rather than fixed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic resource allocation is implemented for NB IoT, then adaptability to different transmission methods is improved, but control information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical control information needed for dynamic resource allocation into a compact form within the downlink control information. By taking out only the essential parameters (such as resource allocation indicators and transmission method configurations) and processing them at the NB IoT device level, the system achieves adaptability to different transmission methods without requiring complex control information processing throughout the entire communication stack.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and an apparatus for allocating a resource of an uplink data channel of the narrowband Internet of things (NB IoT) user equipment to transmit and receive a data using a narrow band. The method may include receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a subcarrier indication field from a base station, configuring a wireless resource of an uplink data channel based on at least one of i) a subcarrier indication field and ii) subcarrier spacing information configured to the NB IoT user equipment, and transmitting an uplink data using a wireless resource of an uplink data channel.