Sub-PRB Resource Allocation with OCC Spreading for NTN Uplink Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems, particularly in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), face challenges in enhancing uplink capacity and throughput.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of orthogonal cover codes (OCCs) for uplink multiplexing and the use of sub-physical resource block (sub-PRB) allocations in the frequency domain to enhance uplink capacity and throughput in NTN contexts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional physical resource block allocations are used in NTN, then resource allocation simplicity is maintained, but uplink capacity and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments physical resource blocks into smaller sub-physical resource blocks (sub-PRBs) in the frequency domain. Each sub-PRB represents a fraction of a full PRB, allowing for finer-grained resource allocation. This segmentation enables multiple UEs to be multiplexed within a single PRB, thereby increasing uplink capacity without requiring additional frequency resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of resource allocation by utilizing orthogonal cover codes (OCCs) in the code domain. By applying OCC-based multiplexing across sub-PRBs, the system can distinguish between multiple UEs sharing the same time-frequency resources. This adds a code-domain dimension to resource allocation, enabling higher capacity without increasing frequency or time resource usage.
2Productivity
If sub-physical resource block allocations are implemented, then uplink throughput is enhanced, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes orthogonal cover codes (OCCs) as a separate multiplexing mechanism. By taking out the OCC dimension from traditional resource allocation and applying it specifically to sub-PRB allocations, the system achieves finer granularity control. UEs are assigned specific OCC sequences for their sub-PRB transmissions, enabling the network to differentiate and separate multiple UE signals within the same physical resources through code orthogonality.
3Productivity
If finer resource granularity is used, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different OCC sequences to different UEs based on their specific resource allocations. Each UE receives a tailored OCC sequence configuration matched to its assigned sub-PRBs, creating localized orthogonality patterns. This allows the system to optimize resource utilization for each UE individually while maintaining overall system manageability through standardized OCC-based multiplexing procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for throughput enhancement in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) using orthogonal cover code (OCC) spreading are discussed. A user equipment (UE) of an NTN that communicates with a base station over a service link of the NTN receives, from the base station, a downlink control information (DCI) that indicates a dynamic uplink grant for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), where the DCI communicates an OCC sequence index; identifies, using the OCC sequence index, a first OCC sequence for the first PUSCH from a set of OCC sequences of an OCC size corresponding to the OCC sequence index; spreads data for the PUSCH into the PUSCH using the first OCC sequence; and sends, to the base station, over the service link, the PUSCH according to the dynamic uplink grant. Cases using configuration information for a configured uplink grant are also discussed. Corresponding base station behaviors are discussed.