Reference and Extended Bandwidth Allocation for eMTC-NR Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

In enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) of Long Term Evolution (LTE), allocating larger channel bandwidths for eMTC devices reduces flexibility in scheduling and impacts New Radio (NR) performance, necessitating efficient resource allocation to support coexistence with NR without affecting legacy UEs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for extended bandwidth allocation, where devices exchange indications of reference bandwidth and frequency offsets to determine sets of narrowbands for communication, allowing flexible resource allocation and backward compatibility with legacy systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a larger channel bandwidth is allocated for eMTC, then more physical resources can be used for eMTC and more eMTC devices can be supported, but flexibility of scheduling such as coreset resource allocation is reduced and NR performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel bandwidth for eMTCVSAvoidscheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the eMTC bandwidth configuration into two parts: a reference bandwidth that maintains backward compatibility with legacy eMTC devices, and an extended bandwidth that provides additional resources. This segmentation allows the system to support both legacy and enhanced devices simultaneously without compromising scheduling flexibility for NR.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to bandwidth allocation by defining an extended bandwidth parameter that builds upon the traditional reference bandwidth. This dimensional extension enables the system to allocate additional frequency resources for eMTC while preserving the original bandwidth structure that NR scheduling relies upon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a larger channel bandwidth is allocated for eMTC, then more eMTC devices can be supported with larger channel capacity, but more resources are reserved for eMTC in the NR system

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveeMTC device support capacityVSAvoidresources reserved for eMTC in NR
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a reference bandwidth parameter that is predetermined and compatible with legacy eMTC specifications. By defining this reference bandwidth in advance, the system ensures that legacy devices can operate without modification while new extended bandwidth resources become available for enhanced device support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the bandwidth parameter structure by introducing an extended bandwidth that supplements the reference bandwidth. This parameter change enables the system to increase eMTC device support capacity while maintaining the original reference bandwidth parameters that NR scheduling algorithms depend upon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the system bandwidth is increased to 20MHz, then more physical resources can be used for eMTC, but flexibility of scheduling is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem bandwidthVSAvoidscheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total system bandwidth into a reference bandwidth portion that maintains scheduling flexibility and an extended bandwidth portion that provides additional resources. This segmentation allows the system to operate with a larger total bandwidth (e.g., 20MHz) while preserving the scheduling flexibility characteristics of the reference bandwidth portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds an extended bandwidth dimension that builds upon the reference bandwidth, enabling the system to utilize larger total bandwidth (such as 20MHz) without compromising the scheduling flexibility that depends on the reference bandwidth structure. This dimensional approach allows independent optimization of both bandwidth size and scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4035479B1Extended bandwidth allocation
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4035479B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4035479B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(c)
  • EP4035479B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of extended bandwidth allocation. In example embodiments, a first device receives, from a second device, an indication of a reference bandwidth. The first device receives, from the second device, an indication of a bandwidth extended from the reference bandwidth and receives, from the second device, an indication of at least one frequency offset of a first set of narrowbands with respect to a second set of narrowbands associated with the reference bandwidth. Then, the first device determines, based on the reference bandwidth, the extended bandwidth and the at least one frequency offset, the first set of narrowbands for communication with the second device.