SC-PTM Scheduling Overhead Reduction in LTE Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless telecommunications, especially in LTE-based systems, the overhead required for establishing and maintaining point-to-point (PTP) communication with a large number of user equipment (UEs) is substantial, leading to inefficient spectrum usage, particularly in scenarios where high-quality two-way communication is needed, whereas point-to-multipoint (PTM) communication has limited flexibility and spectral inefficiency due to fixed overhead and restricted single-cell operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a single cell point-to-multipoint (SC-PTM) communication system that reduces overhead by periodically transmitting modulation and coding schemes only initially, using indicators in subsequent transmissions, and eliminating user IDs from scheduling information, allowing for efficient resource allocation and discontinuous reception (DRx) to conserve power and improve spectral efficiency without multiplexing services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If point-to-point (PTP) communication is used to provide high-quality two-way communication with user equipment, then communication quality is improved, but overhead and spectrum occupation increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidoverhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines PTP and PTM communication modes into a unified system. The ENB can dynamically switch between PTP (for high-quality individual communication) and PTM (for efficient group communication), merging the advantages of both approaches to reduce overall overhead while maintaining communication quality where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic communication mode selection where the ENB can adaptively switch between PTP and PTM modes based on current network conditions, user distribution, and service requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize overhead by using PTM when appropriate while maintaining PTP for specific high-quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If point-to-multipoint (PTM) communication is used to reduce overhead, then spectral efficiency is improved, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced due to fixed overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic scheduling for PTM communications, allowing the ENB to adjust resource allocation, modulation schemes, and coding rates based on channel conditions and user requirements. This dynamic approach restores flexibility to PTM communication while maintaining its spectral efficiency advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The unified communication system serves multiple functions by supporting both PTP and PTM modes within the same framework. The ENB can handle individual high-quality communication requests, group broadcasts, and dynamic resource allocation all through one system, making the PTM infrastructure universally applicable to various service types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic scheduling is implemented to improve resource allocation, then adaptability is improved, but overhead and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidscheduling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic scheduling selectively rather than universally. Full dynamic scheduling is applied only where needed (e.g., when channel conditions vary significantly or user requirements change), while more static resource allocation is used in stable scenarios. This partial application of dynamic scheduling reduces overhead while maintaining necessary adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2400788B1Devices and methods for point-to-multipoint multiplexing and scheduling
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2400788B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2400788B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2400788B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An enhanced node B (ENB) is described for use in a wireless communication network, the ENB comprising: a processor configured to transmit an indicator indicative of a modulation and coding scheme related to at least one multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) for a multicast transport channel (MCH). A user equipment (UE) for use in a wireless communication network is also described, the UE comprising: a processor configured to receive an indicator indicative of a modulation and coding scheme related to at least one multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) for a multicast transport channel (MCH).