Radio Resource Allocation for Mixed-Numerology Subcarrier Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication standards face challenges in efficiently subdividing transmissions to optimize bandwidth usage, particularly in mixed numerologies, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and potential inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for flexible radio resource allocation that configures sub-carriers based on a numerology scheme, specifying frequency regions and sub-carrier spacing, and determines available time-frequency resources (TFR) using OFDM symbol positions and transmission controls, allowing for dynamic adjustment of resource allocation units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If existing wireless communication standards subdivide transmissions to efficient use available bandwidth, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but resource allocation becomes suboptimal in mixed numerologies scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidresource allocation adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation by allowing the network to flexibly configure subcarrier spacing and numerology schemes based on service requirements. The system can adaptively adjust resource allocation parameters in real-time to match different service types (e.g., eMBB, uRLLC, mMTC), transforming the static resource allocation into a dynamic, service-aware allocation mechanism that optimizes bandwidth utilization for each specific scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters such as subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length, and resource block configuration to accommodate different numerologies. By allowing these parameters to be dynamically adjusted based on service requirements and channel conditions, the system achieves optimal bandwidth utilization for diverse services while maintaining efficient resource allocation through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed resource allocation schemes are used, then implementation complexity is reduced, but bandwidth optimization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation scheme complexityVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the available bandwidth into multiple resource blocks and further divides them into resource element groups, allowing independent configuration and allocation of different numerologies in different frequency regions. This segmentation enables the system to apply simple allocation rules to each segment while achieving overall bandwidth optimization through coordinated resource management across segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If uniform subcarrier spacing is applied across all frequency regions, then system simplicity is maintained, but performance in mixed numerologies scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different subcarrier spacing and numerology configurations to different frequency regions and service types based on specific requirements. For example, smaller subcarrier spacing may be applied to frequency regions suitable for eMBB services, while larger spacing is used for uRLLC services. This local quality approach maintains configuration simplicity through standardized procedures while achieving high resource allocation efficiency through service-specific optimization in each region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3479516B1Flexible radio resource allocation
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
  • EP3479516B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3479516B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3479516B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

For flexible radio resource allocation, a processor (405) receives a numerology scheme (280). The numerology scheme (280) specifies one or more of at least frequency region definition (281) and a sub-carrier spacing (283) for the at least one frequency region (15). The method configures sub-carriers (14) for at least one frequency region (15) based on the numerology scheme (280).