Wireless Resource Allocation via Shortened Transmission Time Intervals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communications networks face challenges in achieving efficient data transmission and capacity due to fixed subframe lengths of 1 ms, which limit the scheduling of uplink and downlink data in short subframes, leading to increased packet latency and reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of short subframes with variable durations, allowing for flexible resource allocation using shortened transmission time intervals (TTIs), and the use of device-specific control signaling to indicate short scheduling assignments, enabling efficient utilization of unused resources in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for Short Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If fixed subframe lengths of 1 ms are used for scheduling, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but packet latency increases and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket latencyVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed 1 ms subframe is segmented into multiple shorter Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs), each with variable durations. This allows the scheduling of uplink and downlink data in shorter time increments, reducing packet latency while maintaining manageable complexity through structured segmentation of the time resource.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic TTI lengths that can vary within the subframe structure, allowing flexible adaptation of transmission time intervals to different traffic conditions and service requirements. This dynamic approach enables shorter latencies when needed while preserving the overall subframe organization for complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If short subframes with variable durations are introduced, then packet latency is reduced and throughput increases, but device complexity and scheduling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The subframe is divided into multiple TTIs with specific structures, creating organized segments that can be independently scheduled. This segmentation enables efficient resource allocation within each TTI while the overall structure provides framework for management, balancing productivity improvement with complexity control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time parameter from fixed 1 ms subframes to variable TTI durations within subframes. This parameter change enables shorter transmission times for urgent data, improving productivity, while the structured approach to parameter variation maintains scheduling manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If unused PDCCH resources are utilized for PDSCH transmissions, then radio resource efficiency is improved and capacity increases, but control channel reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource utilizationVSAvoidcontrol channel reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control channel (PDCCH) and data channel (PDSCH) resources within the same time-frequency structure by allowing PDSCH transmissions to utilize resources originally allocated for PDCCH. This merging increases overall resource utilization while the structured integration maintains necessary control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The PDCCH resources are given multi-functionality, serving both as control channel resources and as potential data transmission resources when unused. This universality improves radio resource efficiency and system capacity while the flexible allocation ensures control reliability is maintained through proper resource management.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3456123B1Allocation of resources to a wireless device
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3456123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3456123B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3456123B1 patent drawingFigure 6~11

AI summary

There is provided mechanisms for allocating resources to a wireless device. A method is performed by a network node. The method comprises transmitting a control message in a search space to the wireless device, the search space comprising at least two groups of Control Channel Elements (CCEs), wherein one of the groups of CCEs comprises the control message. The method comprises transmitting information to the wireless device indicating at least one of the groups of CCEs comprising resources for the wireless device.