Frequency Resource Assignment with Higher-Layer Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems in industrial automation face challenges in efficiently managing frequency resource assignment to ensure high reliability and low latency for communication between controllers and sensors/actuators, particularly in unlicensed frequency bands, which are not allocated by authorities and have limited range compared to licensed bands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for pre-configuring frequency domain resource allocation through higher layer communications, such as RRC or NAS messages, to reduce the size of downlink control information (DCI) by using a modified DCI format that includes only the starting resource block location, allowing UEs to infer the full frequency-domain resource assignment based on pre-configured transport block sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full frequency resource assignment information is transmitted in DCI, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but DCI size increases reducing communication efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring frequency resource allocation parameters through higher layer signaling (RRC/NAS messages) before actual data transmission. The UE receives and stores transport block size, resource block allocation patterns, and other frequency domain parameters in advance, so that during urgent industrial automation communication, only minimal DCI signaling is needed to activate pre-agreed resource allocations, reducing DCI size while maintaining allocation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts essential frequency resource assignment information from the DCI by separating it into two parts: critical parameters are transmitted through higher layer signaling in advance, while only the most urgent scheduling decisions remain in the DCI. This extraction reduces DCI bit size while preserving the ability to accurately allocate frequency resources when needed
2Productivity
If DCI size is reduced for efficient bandwidth usage, then communication efficiency is improved, but resource allocation flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action to pre-negotiate and configure multiple resource allocation schemes through higher layer signaling before transmission. The UE and network store pre-agreed resource block allocations, transport block sizes, and modulation schemes, enabling rapid activation of appropriate pre-configured resources through minimal DCI signaling, thus maintaining flexibility without increasing DCI size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically selecting from pre-configured parameter sets based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. The higher layer signaling configures multiple possible values for frequency domain parameters, and the minimal DCI triggers selection of appropriate parameters, achieving both communication efficiency and allocation flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for communication includes receiving a transport block size (TBS) configuration containing at least a portion of a frequency-domain resource allocation, and receiving a downlink control information (DCI) message having an additional portion of the frequency-domain resource allocation, the TBS configuration and the additional portion of the frequency-domain resource allocation having frequency-domain resource allocation information to support data communication.