Resource Allocation Offset Indexing for Signaling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication networks face challenges in allocating resources efficiently, particularly in achieving optimal frequency separation and minimizing signaling overhead, as existing methods either fix frequency separation at suboptimal levels or require excessive signaling for adaptive scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A method that groups resources into sets and allocates them using an offset-based index system, allowing for dynamic calculation of optimal frequency separation while reducing signaling load, by considering the number of resource units and allocations, and accounting for reserved blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fixed scheduling is used with predetermined resource block sets, then signaling overhead is minimized, but frequency separation cannot be optimized according to system load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where the network can switch between fixed scheduling mode (for low load) and flexible scheduling mode (for high load or specific conditions). The semi-persistent scheduling mechanism allows periodic reconfiguration of resource blocks based on system load, enabling frequency separation to be optimized dynamically while maintaining lower signaling overhead compared to fully flexible scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of frequency separation dynamically by adjusting the resource block allocation patterns based on system load. When load increases, the system can increase frequency separation between allocated resource blocks to exploit frequency diversity, while when load is low, it maintains tighter allocations. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between fixed signaling and flexible optimization.
2Reliability
If free scheduling with optimal frequency separation is implemented, then radio performance is improved, but signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial flexible scheduling rather than full flexible scheduling. Semi-persistent scheduling provides frequency separation optimization for critical transmissions while maintaining fixed patterns for less critical traffic. This partial application of flexible scheduling achieves sufficient radio performance improvement without incurring the full signaling overhead of completely free scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource allocation is segmented into different types: some resource blocks are allocated using fixed patterns (low signaling), while others use flexible optimization (high signaling). The system segments traffic into different QoS categories and applies appropriate scheduling strategies to each, achieving overall performance improvement while controlling total signaling overhead through selective application of flexible scheduling.
3Reliability
If mirrored allocations are used to pair frequency resource blocks, then frequency diversity is achieved, but separation becomes inconsistent under high load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves away from symmetric mirrored allocations toward asymmetric resource block pairing based on channel conditions and system load. Instead of always pairing lowest with highest frequency blocks, the system can create asymmetric pairs that maintain optimal frequency separation even when the number of active users changes. This asymmetric approach preserves frequency diversity while maintaining more consistent separation characteristics under varying load conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for allocating resources to a plurality of secondary stations for enabling communication between a primary station and the plurality of secondary stations, comprising the steps ofa. grouping the resources into at least a first set of resources and a second set of resources;b. allocating a first resource of the first set of resources to a first secondary station, said first resource having a first index in the first set of resources;c. allocating a second resource of the second set of resources to the first secondary station, said second resource having a second index in the second set of resources being equal to the first index plus an offset based at least partly on other information known to the primary and first secondary station.