Partial Interlace Resource Allocation for Unlicensed Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G New Radio (NR) systems, the resource allocation for unlicensed spectrum is inefficient due to the excessive bandwidth provided to user equipment (UEs) for small traffic transmissions, leading to wasted resources and poor user multiplexing capacity, especially when multiple UEs with different receive bandwidth capabilities operate on the same carrier.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that assigns a partial interlace or a combination of full and partial interlaces to UEs, where the frequency resources span over a predefined percentage of the carrier's bandwidth, allowing for dynamic bandwidth configuration and switching based on traffic variation, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency while meeting regulatory requirements for occupied channel bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a full interlace (100 PRBs) is assigned to a UE for 20 MHz bandwidth, then the UE can transmit data on the unlicensed spectrum, but the resource is wasted when the UE has small traffic to be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 100 PRBs into multiple interlaces (e.g., 10 interlaces of 10 PRBs each) and allows dynamic assignment of partial interlaces to UEs. This segmentation enables flexible resource allocation where UEs receive only the bandwidth portion needed for their traffic, avoiding waste of remaining resources while maintaining the ability to allocate full interlaces when needed.
2Reliability
If a full interlace is assigned to each UE, then each UE can achieve sufficient occupied channel bandwidth for regulatory compliance, but multiple UEs with different receive bandwidth capabilities cannot be efficiently multiplexed on the same carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interlace assignment where the network can flexibly allocate different numbers and combinations of interlaces to different UEs based on their receive bandwidth capabilities and traffic requirements. This dynamic allocation allows multiple UEs with different capabilities to be multiplexed on the same carrier while each UE still achieves sufficient occupied channel bandwidth for regulatory compliance.
3Quantity of substance
If the carrier bandwidth is increased to 40, 60, 80 or 100 MHz for 5G NR, then more bandwidth is available for transmission, but the resource of one interlace becomes too much for a UE with small traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the expanded carrier bandwidth into multiple interlaces, allowing UEs to receive only the specific interlaces needed for their traffic volume. For example, a UE with small traffic on a 80 MHz carrier can be assigned just one or two interlaces instead of all available PRBs, while UEs with larger traffic can receive multiple interlaces. This segmentation maintains scalability to wider bandwidths while preventing resource wastage.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to method and apparatus for resource allocation on unlicensed spectrum. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method comprising: receiving a Downlink Control Information (DCI) assigning frequency resources of a carrier for transmitting data on the carrier, wherein the frequency resources include a first set of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) and a second set of PRBs and the frequency resources span over a predefined percentage of a bandwidth of the carrier, and the bandwidth of the carrier is greater than 20 MHz; and transmitting the data on the first set of PRBs and the second set of PRBs.