SCMA Terminal Access Using Dynamic Signature Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing SCMA multi-terminal access mechanism experiences system performance degradation due to conflicts, leading to retransmissions and inefficiencies in massive access scenarios.

Innovation Solution

Each terminal determines a different signature using a random number seed and signature matrix for each transmission, reducing conflict probability and eliminating the need for random backoff processes, thereby improving system efficiency and reducing transmission delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If terminals use fixed signatures for data transmission in SCMA, then the access process is simple, but conflict probability increases causing system performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess process simplicityVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the signature selection variable rather than fixed. Terminals dynamically select signatures from a codebook based on random number seeds that change with each transmission attempt. This dynamic signature selection reduces persistent conflicts while maintaining operational simplicity through automated random selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the signature parameter over time by using different random number seeds for each transmission attempt. Instead of using a static signature assignment, the system varies the signature parameter dynamically, which reduces conflict probability while preserving the simplicity of the access mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If terminals perform random backoff process upon conflict, then conflict resolution is achieved, but transmission delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconflict resolutionVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a codebook containing multiple signatures for each terminal before transmission begins. When conflicts occur, terminals can immediately switch to alternative signatures from their pre-configured codebooks without performing time-consuming backoff procedures, thus resolving conflicts while minimizing transmission delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by enabling terminals to continue transmission attempts using different signatures from their codebooks rather than pausing for random backoff. This allows the transmission process to continue without interruption, reducing overall transmission delay while still resolving conflicts effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If conventional multiple access mechanism is used for massive access, then each terminal can transmit large data amounts, but system efficiency decreases due to low access efficiency and high signaling overheads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata amount per terminalVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a signature codebook that serves multiple functions: it enables conflict resolution through random selection, provides alternative signatures for retransmission without backoff, and supports massive access scenarios. This single codebook structure handles multiple access challenges simultaneously, improving system efficiency while maintaining the capability to transmit large data amounts.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3349534B1Terminal access method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3349534B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3349534B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3349534B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a terminal access method and an apparatus, to resolve a problem in an existing SCMA multi-terminal access mechanism that a conflict causes system performance degradation and may cause system retransmission. The method is as follows: determining, by a terminal, to enter a contention-based access phase; and determining, by the terminal during each transmission of binary data, a first signature according to a random number seed and a signature matrix, and mapping, according to the first signature, the binary data to a multi-dimensional symbol for transmission, where first signatures used during different transmissions of binary data are different.