Sub-PRB Resource Allocation for MTC Uplink Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE systems face challenges in achieving better spectral efficiency for machine-type communication (MTC) by efficiently allocating resources for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), particularly for devices with poor channel conditions, as they are limited to a minimum allocation bandwidth of one physical resource block (PRB), which restricts subcarrier allocation to 12 subcarriers, leading to suboptimal reception quality and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating configuration information by a base station to indicate whether a transport block is mapped to one or multiple resource units for sub-physical resource block allocation, supporting 6-subcarrier, 3-subcarrier, and 2-subcarrier allocations, allowing for flexible resource allocation and improved spectral efficiency by enabling allocations less than one PRB, thereby enhancing coverage and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If minimum allocation bandwidth of one physical resource block (PRB) is used, then resource allocation is simplified, but spectral efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the physical resource block (PRB) into smaller sub-PRB units, allowing resources to be divided and allocated in finer granularity. This segmentation enables more flexible resource distribution across multiple users, thereby improving spectral efficiency while maintaining manageable allocation complexity through standardized segmentation rules.
2Device complexity
If minimum allocation bandwidth of one physical resource block (PRB) is used, then resource allocation is simplified, but reception quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different users to be allocated different numbers of subcarriers based on their specific channel conditions. Users with poor channel conditions receive more subcarriers (better reception quality), while users with good conditions receive fewer subcarriers. This localized adaptation of resource allocation optimizes reception quality for each user without requiring complex centralized control.
3Device complexity
If minimum allocation bandwidth of one physical resource block (PRB) is used, then resource allocation is simplified, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the number of subcarriers allocated to each user can change adaptively based on channel conditions, QoS requirements, and system load. This dynamic allocation allows the system to optimize power efficiency by allocating minimum necessary resources to users with good channel conditions, thereby reducing their power consumption while maintaining service quality.
4Device complexity
If subcarrier allocation is limited to 12 subcarriers, then resource management is simplified, but spectral efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of resource allocation by allowing flexible numbers of subcarriers (not limited to fixed 12) to be allocated to different users. This dimensional change in resource granularity enables more users to be served simultaneously with appropriate resource shares, thereby improving overall spectral efficiency while maintaining simplified management through standardized allocation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method executed by a base station, the method comprising: generating configuration information indicating whether one transport block is mapped to only one resource unit or mapped to more than one resource unit when user equipment (UE) uses sub-physical resource block allocation to allocate resources for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); and transmitting the configuration information to the UE. The present disclosure further provides a corresponding base station, UE, and a corresponding method executed by UE.