Partial Subframe Scheduling for Unlicensed Band Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scheduling methods for cellular communication networks using licensed bands are not effective when adapted for unlicensed bands, leading to discontinuous signal transmission and resource scheduling challenges, particularly due to limited availability and high costs of licensed bands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a scheduling method that allows user equipment (UE) and base stations to operate in unlicensed bands by obtaining control channels from partial subframes of less than 1 millisecond, obtaining scheduling information, and transmitting data channels indicated by this information, utilizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and applying semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) for resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional scheduling methods for licensed bands are applied to unlicensed bands, then scheduling simplicity is maintained, but resource scheduling becomes impossible due to discontinuous transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of scheduling timing from conventional 1ms subframe boundaries to flexible partial subframes that can start at any OFDM symbol within a subframe. This allows the scheduling method to adapt to the discontinuous nature of unlicensed band transmission while maintaining reliable resource allocation through modified timing relationships between control channels and data channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic scheduling where the start position of partial subframes and the timing offset between control channel and data channel can vary based on channel conditions and transmission requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to changing unlicensed band availability while ensuring reliable resource scheduling through flexible timing configurations.
2Productivity
If partial subframes with length less than 1 millisecond are used in unlicensed bands, then resource utilization is optimized, but scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional 1ms subframe into partial subframes that can start at any OFDM symbol and have variable lengths. This segmentation allows optimized resource utilization by allocating only the necessary time resources in unlicensed bands while managing complexity through standardized segmentation rules and predefined timing relationships between control and data channels.
3Quantity of substance
If discontinuous resources are used in unlicensed bands, then cost is reduced compared to licensed bands, but signal transmission becomes discontinuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuity of useful action by ensuring that within each transmission burst in the unlicensed band, data channels are continuously allocated across multiple partial subframes with properly managed timing offsets. This maintains stable data flow and signal continuity despite the discontinuous nature of unlicensed band access, while reducing costs by utilizing available unlicensed spectrum resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a scheduling method for a communication network supporting an unlicensed band. An operation method of a user equipment (UE) may comprise obtaining a control channel from a partial subframe having a length of less than 1 millisecond in an unlicensed band; obtaining scheduling information from the control channel; and obtaining a data channel indicated by the scheduling information from the partial subframe. Therefore, performance of the communication network can be enhanced.