PRB Resource Allocation Field Segmentation for Uplink Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In machine-type communication (MTC) systems, the simultaneous configuration of early termination of uplink transmission and flexible resource allocation leads to confusion in user equipment (UE) behavior due to the reuse of reserve statuses in the PRB resource assignment field, making it difficult for UE to determine the correct meaning of received reserve statuses.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a resource allocation informing format is generated and transmitted to UE, distinguishing between reserve statuses for early termination and flexible resource allocation, using specific configurations in the PRB resource assignment field to avoid confusion, such as reserving status 11111 for early termination and statuses 10101-11110 for resource allocation schemes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reserve statuses in the PRB resource assignment field are reused for both early termination indication and flexible resource allocation, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but UE behavior confusion occurs when both features are simultaneously configured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 5-bit PRB resource assignment field into distinct functional zones: one reserve status value (11111) is dedicated exclusively for early termination indication, while other reserve status values (10101-11110) are allocated for flexible resource allocation. This segmentation eliminates the ambiguity that would arise from completely reusing reserve statuses for both purposes, allowing UE to reliably determine the intended function of each received status value.
2Reliability
If the base station transmits identical content repeatedly to achieve coverage enhancement, then coverage is improved, but power consumption increases when repetition times are higher than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station monitors the demodulation status of repeatedly transmitted uplink data and sends an early termination indication (using the reserved status value) to the UE when successful demodulation is achieved. This feedback allows the UE to stop repetition transmission prematurely, avoiding unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliable coverage enhancement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the repetition transmission duration dynamic rather than fixed. The actual number of repetitions performed is adjusted in real-time based on channel conditions and base station demodulation success, allowing the system to adapt between minimum and maximum repetition counts. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between coverage enhancement and power consumption.
3Productivity
If RBG fragmentations are avoided by allocating RB resources in neighboring NBs, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but the complexity of resource allocation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the functionality of the PRB resource assignment field beyond its traditional narrowband scope. By allowing the 5-bit field to indicate resource allocations that span neighboring narrowbands (using specific reserve status values), the system achieves universal resource allocation capability that eliminates RBG fragmentations while maintaining a relatively simple encoding scheme.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for indicating information, methods and apparatuses for interpreting information, a base station, user equipment, and a computer-readable storage medium. A method of indicating information includes: generating a resource allocation informing format that includes a first informing format indicating that each of reserve statuses in a physical resource block (PRB) resource allocation field is configured for indicating a resource allocation scheme, or a second informing format indicating that one or more of the reserve statuses in the PRB resource allocation field is configured for indicating an early termination of uplink transmission while each of remaining reserve statuses is configured for indicating the resource allocation scheme; and sending the resource allocation informing format to UE. According to the foregoing embodiment, the UE can interpret a received current reserve status correctly even if the UE is configured simultaneously with two functions comprising an early termination of uplink transmission and a flexible resource allocation, thereby avoiding a confusion in behavior of the UE.