OFDM Spectrum Resource Allocation via Overlapping Cell Frequency Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE systems face limitations in utilizing spectrum resources efficiently, particularly when the frequency bandwidths are not equal to the standard defined by the 3GPP, leading to suboptimal peak rates and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Deploying two cells with partially overlapping frequency bands of standard bandwidths, aligning center frequency points, and allocating frequency-time domain resources in a unified manner to form an integrated frequency band, allowing for dynamic sharing and conflict resolution to maximize spectrum usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the frequency bandwidth is set to a standard value defined by 3GPP, then terminal compatibility is ensured, but spectrum resource utilization is insufficient when available bandwidth does not match standard values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal compatibilityVSAvoidspectrum resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the available frequency band into multiple sub-frequency bands, each with standard bandwidth values (e.g., 1.4MHz, 3MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz as defined by 3GPP). By segmenting the total bandwidth into standard-compliant sub-bands, the system ensures terminal compatibility while fully utilizing the available spectrum resources. For example, if 23MHz is available, it can be divided into multiple sub-bands that sum to 23MHz, rather than forcing a non-standard configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of frequency band configuration by allowing multiple cells to operate on different standard bandwidths within the same available spectrum. This multi-dimensional approach enables the system to accommodate various standard bandwidth configurations (1.4MHz, 3MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz) simultaneously, providing flexibility in spectrum utilization while maintaining terminal compatibility through standard-compliant sub-bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple frequency carriers are deployed in each sector, then spectrum resource utilization improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum resource utilizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the available frequency band into multiple sub-frequency bands with standard bandwidths, and deploys multiple cells on these sub-bands. Each cell operates independently on its assigned sub-band with standard-compliant parameters, which simplifies the overall system management compared to deploying non-standard multi-carrier systems. The segmentation approach allows straightforward resource allocation and interference management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal framework that supports multiple standard bandwidth configurations (1.4MHz, 3MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz) within the same system. This multi-functional capability allows the system to adapt to different spectrum availability scenarios while maintaining a unified deployment architecture, reducing the need for separate system designs for different bandwidth scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If non-standard frequency bandwidth is used, then spectrum resource utilization increases, but terminal access capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum resource utilizationVSAvoidterminal access capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the non-standard total bandwidth into multiple sub-bands, each with standard bandwidth values defined by 3GPP (1.4MHz, 3MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz). This segmentation ensures that terminals can access each sub-band using standard protocols, while the aggregate of multiple sub-bands fully utilizes the available non-standard total bandwidth. For instance, 23MHz can be divided into standard sub-bands that sum to 23MHz, enabling both full utilization and terminal compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to frequency band configuration, where the top level represents the total available non-standard bandwidth, and the lower level represents multiple standard-compliant sub-bands. This multi-dimensional structure allows the system to operate on non-standard total bandwidth while maintaining standard-compliant sub-band configurations that terminals can access, effectively resolving the contradiction between utilization and compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3328110B1Method of using spectrum resource of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system, and corresponding base station
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP3328110B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3328110B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3328110B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention are a method of using a spectrum resource of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system, and corresponding base station. The method comprises: respectively deploying, by a base station, a first cell and a second cell based on a first frequency band and a second frequency band having a standard bandwidth, the first frequency band and the second frequency band partially overlapping, and the overlapping part forming an overlapped frequency band; allocating, by the base station, a frequency-time domain resource to data of the first cell and the second cell, comprising: in the overlapped frequency-band, performing scheduling unification on the data of the first cell and the second cell, and allocating the frequency-time domain resource, wherein the first cell aligns with the second cell in center frequency points of each corresponding sub-carrier in the overlapped frequency-band.