Resource Block Allocation Field for Flexible IoT Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resource allocation methods in LTE systems are limited, as they can only allocate resources within a specific narrowband and number of resource blocks, restricting flexibility and efficiency, especially for terminal devices with varying bandwidth requirements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves modifying the resource block allocation field in downlink control information to include ⌈log2⌊NRBUL6⌋⌉+5 bits, allowing for flexible allocation of resource block groups and indices, enabling the access network device to allocate more than six resource blocks by using resource block groups as a granularity, and the terminal device to determine the allocated resource blocks efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the resource allocation field uses the prior art format with 5 least significant bits for RB allocation within NB, then the allocation is simple to implement, but the quantity of RBs allocated is limited to within one narrowband only
Solution Approach 1:
The resource allocation is segmented into two parts: narrowband index indication (most significant bits) and RB allocation within NB (5 least significant bits). This segmentation allows independent control of narrowband selection and RB allocation, enabling flexible resource allocation across multiple narrowbands while maintaining simple decoding for the RB portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension to resource allocation by introducing narrowband index indication through most significant bits, transforming the allocation from a single-dimensional (RBs within one NB) to a two-dimensional structure (NB selection + RB allocation within selected NB). This enables allocation across the entire system bandwidth by combining multiple NBs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the resource allocation is limited to one narrowband with maximum 25 RBs, then the allocation process is simple, but the resource cannot be flexibly allocated to terminal devices with varying bandwidth requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The resource allocation mechanism becomes universal by supporting multiple narrowbands through MSB indication. The same 5 LSB format can indicate RB allocation within any selected narrowband, making the allocation system adaptable to terminal devices with different bandwidth requirements (e.g., 6 RBs for small bandwidth devices, 25 RBs for larger bandwidth devices in CE Mode A).
3Adaptability or versatility
If the resource block allocation field size is increased to enable flexible allocation across multiple narrowbands, then the allocation flexibility is improved, but the parsing complexity and processing power consumption for terminal devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses exactly 5 least significant bits for RB allocation within NB, which is the minimum required to indicate up to 25 RBs. This partial action approach keeps the LSB portion simple and efficient to parse, while the MSB portion handles the additional complexity of narrowband selection, separating the computational burden.
Data Source
AI summary
A resource allocation method is provided, which includes: determining a resource block allocation field in downlink control information, where in response to a value indicated by five least significant bits of the resource block allocation field is greater than 20, the resource block allocation field indicates a quantity of resource block groups allocated to a terminal device and an index of a starting resource block group allocated to the terminal device. The method can be applied to the Internet of Things, such as MTC, IoT, LTE-M, M2M, etc.