5G Relay Subframe Arrangement for Self-Backhaul Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing radio resources and minimizing latency for self-backhauling in 5G New Radio networks, particularly in supporting flexible radio resource allocation and low latency requirements for wireless relay operations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a subframe arrangement with distinct symbol timing for wireless communications between a relay node and a base station, including separate portions for downlink and uplink control channels and data transmissions, along with guard periods to facilitate dynamic and flexible resource allocation, enabling efficient self-backhauling and low latency operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a unified subframe structure is used for both relay backhaul links and user access links, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but radio resource allocation flexibility deteriorates and latency cannot be optimized for different link types
Solution Approach 1:
The subframe structure is segmented into distinct types: backhaul subframes for relay-backhaul communication and access subframes for user-access communication. Each subframe type has dedicated control portions and data portions optimized for its specific function, allowing independent resource allocation and timing adjustments for backhaul and access links without mutual interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic subframe configuration where the network can flexibly allocate and switch between different subframe types based on traffic demands. The symbol timing and resource allocation within subframes can be dynamically adjusted to optimize performance for varying backhaul and access link requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate subframe structures are used for relay backhaul links and user access links, then radio resource allocation flexibility and latency optimization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal subframe framework that can function as either a backhaul subframe or an access subframe based on configuration. The basic structure including control portions, data portions, and guard periods is reusable across both link types, reducing the need for entirely separate structures while maintaining optimization capabilities for each specific use case
3Reliability
If guard periods are added to facilitate dynamic resource allocation and timing synchronization, then radio resource allocation flexibility and reliability are improved, but useful transmission time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Guard periods are placed strategically at specific locations within the subframe structure where they are most needed - between control portions and data portions, and between uplink and downlink segments. This localized placement ensures timing synchronization and prevents interference only where required, rather than adding guard periods throughout the entire transmission structure
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a subframe arrangement for use in wireless communications between a relay node and a base station and between a user equipment and at least one of the base station and relay node, the subframe arrangement comprising a plurality of symbols and a downlink control portion comprising at least one symbol having a first portion allocatable to a first downlink control channel transmission, wherein the first downlink control channel transmission is from the base station to the relay node, an uplink control portion comprising at least one symbol having a first portion allocatable to a first uplink control channel transmission, wherein the first uplink control channel transmission is from the relay node to the base station, a data portion allocatable to one of one of uplink and downlink data transmission, wherein the data transmission is between the relay node and the base station, and wherein symbol timing of the subframe arrangement is different to the symbol timing of a subframe arrangement for use solely in wireless communications between a user equipment and at least one of the base station and a relay node.