Non-Prime Carrier Segmentation for Spectral Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE systems face inefficiencies in spectral usage due to backward compatibility requirements, leading to increased overhead and reduced air interface spectral efficiency, particularly in carrier aggregation scenarios where non-backward compatible carriers are needed to enhance spectral efficiency and support overlapping cells.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of non-prime carriers, which do not share the same radio structure as legacy carriers, allows for reduced or eliminated legacy control signaling and common reference signal overhead, enabling enhanced PDCCH and cross-carrier scheduling to improve spectral efficiency and energy efficiency in the downlink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If backward compatibility requirements are maintained in LTE systems, then legacy devices can be supported, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to increased overhead from legacy control signaling and common reference signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with legacy devicesVSAvoidspectral efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments carriers into two distinct types: prime carriers (backward compatible with legacy devices) and non-prime carriers (optimized for spectral efficiency). This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility where needed while achieving high efficiency where possible, resolving the contradiction between supporting legacy devices and maintaining spectral efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different carrier types are assigned different qualities and functions: prime carriers include legacy control signaling and common reference signals for backward compatibility, while non-prime carriers eliminate these overhead elements for optimized spectral efficiency. This local differentiation allows each carrier type to be optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If non-backward compatible carriers are introduced to enhance spectral efficiency, then air interface spectral efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to support for multiple carrier types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair interface spectral efficiencyVSAvoidcarrier type support

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between prime and non-prime carriers based on device capabilities and network conditions. Wireless devices can be configured to use non-prime carriers when capable, while still maintaining the option to fall back to prime carriers, allowing the system to adapt to varying complexity requirements while maximizing spectral efficiency where possible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If legacy control signaling is retained on all carriers, then compatibility is maintained, but overhead increases reducing overall network performance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Control signaling is segmented and differentiated by carrier type: prime carriers include legacy control signaling formats for compatibility, while non-prime carriers use enhanced control signaling without legacy overhead. This segmentation eliminates unnecessary overhead on non-prime carriers while maintaining compatibility where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different control signaling qualities are applied locally to different carrier types: legacy control signaling is applied only where compatibility is required (prime carriers), while enhanced control signaling is applied where performance is prioritized (non-prime carriers), optimizing overall network performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If common reference signals are transmitted on all carriers, then legacy device functionality is ensured, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelegacy device supportVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Reference signal transmission is segmented by carrier type: common reference signals are transmitted on prime carriers to support legacy devices, but are eliminated or reduced on non-prime carriers. This segmentation reduces overall power consumption while maintaining legacy device support where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different reference signal qualities are applied locally: full common reference signal transmission on prime carriers for legacy compatibility, and reduced or eliminated common reference signals on non-prime carriers for energy efficiency, optimizing the balance between compatibility and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250016784A1Carrier Information Transmission to Wireless Devices

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for wireless communications are described. A base station may send a message with configuration parameters to a wireless device, and the configuration parameters may be for at least two different types of carriers used for communications.