Sub-band Configuration Framework for Wireless Bandwidth Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication networks, such as LTE, face inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization due to fixed frame structures and significant guard band usage, which limits the effective use of carrier bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dynamically configuring sub-bands with varying sub-carrier spacings and resource block sizes within a carrier bandwidth, using a sub-band configuration framework that allows for flexible allocation and scheduling of resource blocks, thereby reducing or eliminating guard bands and optimizing bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed frame structures and guard bands are used in conventional networks, then channel separation between adjacent carriers is achieved, but bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier bandwidth is divided into multiple sub-bands, each with independent resource block allocation. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of guard bands only where necessary while maximizing usable bandwidth in other regions, resolving the contradiction between channel separation and bandwidth utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource block allocation within sub-bands, where resource blocks can be flexibly assigned and reconfigured based on traffic demands. This dynamic approach replaces the static guard band structure, maintaining channel separation where needed while optimizing bandwidth utilization in real-time
2Ease of operation
If fixed resource block definitions are used in LTE, then resource allocation is simplified, but flexibility in bandwidth utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple sub-bands with independent resource block definitions. Each sub-band can have customized resource block configurations tailored to specific traffic types and numerologies, providing both simplicity through standardized sub-band structures and flexibility through independent configuration of each sub-band
Solution Approach 2:
Different sub-bands can have different resource block sizes, sub-carrier spacings, and allocation schemes optimized for their specific purposes. This local customization allows each sub-band to be optimized for its function while maintaining overall system simplicity through the standardized sub-band framework
3Reliability
If 10% guard band usage is imposed in LTE, then spectrum mask requirements are met, but effective spectrum utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier bandwidth is segmented into multiple sub-bands with flexible guard band configuration. Guard bands are placed only at necessary boundaries to meet spectrum mask requirements, while other portions of the spectrum are fully utilized for data transmission, significantly improving effective spectrum utilization compared to the blanket 10% guard band approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the guard band parameter from a fixed 10% of total carrier bandwidth to a flexible configuration where guard band size and position are optimized for each sub-band. This parameter change allows spectrum mask compliance to be met with minimal guard band overhead, maximizing effective spectrum utilization
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and method for defining sub-bands are provided. Each sub-band has a respective sub-carrier spacing, and at least one sub-band portion. Each sub-band portion has a channelization configuration including a resource block size configuration and a sub-band portion bandwidth. The sub-bands are allocated based on a sub-band configuration framework that includes a preconfigured set of possible sub-carrier spacings, a preconfigured set of possible resource block sizes, and a preconfigured set of possible sub-band portion bandwidths. In some embodiments, to improve bandwidth utilization, the channelization configuration for a given sub-band configures a plurality of resource blocks having a first number of sub-carriers and an additional resource block having a number of sub-carriers other than the first number. A bandwidth portion may include two bandwidth portions having different channelizations with differing numbers of sub-carriers per resource block such that more useful sub-carriers are used than would be possible if only resource blocks having a largest of the differing numbers of sub-carriers were used.