Split Symbol Control for Aligned Numerology in Wireless Subframes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face inefficiencies due to fixed tone spacing across different spectrum bands, leading to intersymbol interference and signal reception issues, particularly in systems like LTE and mmW, where varying tone spacings are needed to mitigate phase noise and orthogonality blurring.

Innovation Solution

Implementing split symbol control for aligned numerology, where tone spacing and symbol duration can vary within a subframe based on the spectrum band and UE capabilities, allowing multiple control symbols to be transmitted at different locations and durations, optimizing communication efficiency across various frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed tone spacing is used across different spectrum bands, then system simplicity is maintained, but intersymbol interference and signal reception issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetone spacing configurationVSAvoidsignal reception
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic tone spacing where the base station configures different tone spacings for different UEs based on their capabilities and the spectrum band being used. This allows the system to adapt tone spacing dynamically rather than using a fixed value, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and signal reception reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the tone spacing parameter based on spectrum band and UE capabilities. Specifically, it allows for varying subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15 kHz for LTE, 30 kHz or 60 kHz for mmW) to optimize performance in different frequency ranges, thereby improving signal reception while managing system complexity through standardized parameter sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If varying tone spacings are implemented for different spectrum bands, then signal reception is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal receptionVSAvoidtone spacing configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring tone spacing specifically for each UE based on its capabilities and the particular spectrum band it is using. Rather than changing the entire system's tone spacing configuration, only the relevant local configurations are adjusted, minimizing overall system complexity while improving signal reception where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the tone spacing configuration into different sets for different spectrum bands and UE types. This allows independent optimization of tone spacing for LTE bands versus mmW bands, and for different UE capabilities, without requiring complete system reconfiguration, thus managing complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple control symbols are transmitted at different locations within a subframe, then communication efficiency is improved, but scheduling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary action by transmitting multiple control symbols at different locations within a subframe before the actual data transmission. This allows UEs to receive and process control information (such as scheduling assignments) in advance, improving communication efficiency by enabling earlier preparation and reducing latency, while the scheduling complexity is managed through predefined control symbol positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3476073B1Split symbol control for aligned numerology
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3476073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3476073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3476073B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication provide for split symbol control by varying tone spacing and symbol duration for control channels in a subframe. The control symbols may be transmitted at various locations within the subframe and may be transmitted to different mobile devices. In some examples, multiple control symbols may be transmitted in a subframe to multiple mobile devices depending on the capabilities of each of the multiple mobile devices.