NR Resource Block Grid Structure for Spectrum Utilization and Guard Band Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The New Radio (NR) system faces challenges in defining the maximum number of resource blocks for different combinations of channel bandwidth and subcarrier spacing, which affects spectrum utilization and guard band asymmetry, particularly in supporting multiple numerologies and wide bandwidths.
Innovation Solution
The NR resource block grid structure is defined using virtual and active resource blocks, with virtual blocks used for indexing and guard band purposes, allowing for nested alignment of subcarrier spacings and ensuring a minimum guard band for each subcarrier spacing, frequency range, and channel bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of resource blocks is increased to improve spectrum utilization, then spectrum utilization is improved, but guard band asymmetry increases and interference protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments resource blocks into virtual resource blocks (for indexing and guard band purposes) and active resource blocks (for actual signal transmission). This segmentation allows the system to maintain proper guard bands while accurately counting and utilizing active resource blocks for spectrum efficiency calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual resource blocks act as an intermediary between the physical resource block structure and the logical resource allocation. They provide the necessary guard band structure while allowing active resource blocks to be efficiently utilized for data transmission, thus mediating between interference protection and spectrum utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple numerologies are supported with different subcarrier spacings, then system versatility is improved, but resource block alignment and scheduling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where resource block grids for different subcarrier spacings are aligned such that resource block boundaries of wider spacings (e.g., 30kHz, 60kHz) align with boundaries of narrower spacings (e.g., 15kHz). This nested alignment simplifies scheduling and resource management across multiple numerologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual resource block indexing system provides a universal framework that works across all subcarrier spacings. The same indexing and guard band principles apply regardless of the specific numerology being used, simplifying the implementation of multiple numerologies.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If guard bands are increased to reduce interference, then interference protection is improved, but spectrum utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting resource blocks into virtual and active categories, the patent ensures that guard bands (virtual RBs) are properly maintained for interference protection while only active RBs are counted for spectrum utilization calculations, providing an accurate view of usable spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of resource block counting by distinguishing between virtual and active resource blocks. This parameter change allows the system to maintain fixed guard band structures while accurately measuring and optimizing spectrum utilization based on active transmission resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
Processing circuitry is provided for a wireless communication device and providing an interface to transmit/receive a signal comprising a plurality of physical resource blocks generated depending on a resource block grid structure for a given channel bandwidth and a given frequency range. The resource block grid structure comprises a reference alignment of resource blocks corresponding to a reference subcarrier spacing and at least one further alignment of resource blocks within the given channel bandwidth for a respective further subcarrier spacing. The resource block boundaries for different subcarrier spacings align with each other. At least a subset of the resource blocks of the resource block grid structure are assigned as active resource blocks, the assignment to preserve at least a minimum guard band corresponding to the respective subcarrier spacing and the given channel bandwidth and the given frequency range.