Uplink Reference Signal Timing in NB-IoT
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NB-IoT systems, terminal devices are restricted to transmitting uplink data only at the start position of a preconfigured uplink time-frequency resource, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption due to the need to wait for the next resource allocation, even if data needs to be sent after the start position.
Innovation Solution
A method where terminal devices determine a reference time domain position based on the preconfigured uplink time-frequency resource, allowing them to initialize a sequence and generate a reference signal that enables data transmission before the next start position, ensuring orthogonality of DMRS sequences and efficient use of resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If terminal devices transmit uplink data only at the start position of preconfigured uplink time-frequency resource, then orthogonality of DMRS sequences is maintained, but transmission efficiency deteriorates and power consumption increases due to waiting for next resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple uplink time-frequency resources with different start positions, allowing terminal devices to select and transmit data at the most suitable resource position in advance, rather than waiting for the next scheduled resource allocation. This enables proactive transmission timing selection that improves efficiency while maintaining orthogonality through proper resource configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing terminal devices to dynamically select from multiple preconfigured uplink resource options based on current transmission needs. The system transitions from static single-resource allocation to dynamic multi-resource selection, enabling flexible adaptation to varying data arrival times while preserving DMRS orthogonality through coordinated resource management.
2Ease of operation
If terminal devices wait for the next preconfigured uplink time-frequency resource start position, then resource allocation rules are followed, but power consumption increases due to idle waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple uplink resources with different start positions before transmission occurs. Terminal devices can select the most appropriate resource in advance, eliminating idle waiting periods and reducing power consumption while still operating within predefined resource allocation frameworks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing multiple resource configuration parameters (different start positions, time offsets) instead of a single fixed resource allocation. This allows terminal devices to adjust transmission timing parameters to match data arrival times, reducing idle waiting and power consumption while maintaining compliance with resource allocation rules.
3Productivity
If multiple terminal devices use the same preconfigured uplink time-frequency resource, then spectrum utilization improves, but DMRS sequence orthogonality becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing a single shared uplink resource into multiple segmentable resources with different start positions. Multiple terminal devices can simultaneously use these segmented resources while maintaining DMRS orthogonality through proper sequence allocation, thereby improving spectrum utilization without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces another dimension by adding time offset variations to the resource configuration. Instead of only frequency-based separation, the system uses time-domain differentiation (different start positions) to enable multiple devices to share resources while maintaining orthogonality, thus improving spectrum utilization without sacrificing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method, an apparatus, and a system for determining, by a first terminal device, a reference time domain position based on a preconfigured uplink time-frequency resource, where the reference time domain position is the same as a reference time domain position determined by another terminal device in a plurality of terminal devices, and the reference time domain position is used to initialize a first sequence; generating, by the first terminal device, a first reference signal based on the first sequence and a time interval, where the time interval is an interval between the reference time domain position and a start time domain position of transmission of the first reference signal; and sending, by the first terminal device, the first reference signal to a network device.