Subcarrier Block Allocation for Mixed-Bandwidth OFDMA

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems struggle to efficiently allocate bandwidth in high-density deployment scenarios where multiple communication devices operate at different bandwidths, leading to inefficiencies and interference.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of subcarrier blocks with specific sizes, including contiguous and non-contiguous allocations, to support multi-user operation in mixed bandwidth environments, utilizing OFDMA for both uplink and downlink waveforms, and flexible resource block allocation sizes to accommodate devices with varying receive or transmit bandwidths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bandwidth is allocated using traditional methods in mixed bandwidth environments, then legacy device compatibility is maintained, but bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelegacy device compatibilityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the available bandwidth into multiple subcarrier blocks of different sizes (e.g., 26 subcarriers, 52 subcarriers, 104 subcarriers). This allows the system to allocate bandwidth units that match the requirements of different device types (legacy 20/40 MHz devices vs. modern 80 MHz devices), thereby improving overall bandwidth utilization efficiency while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices through standardized allocation units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If uniform bandwidth allocation is used, then allocation simplicity is maintained, but interference between different bandwidth devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallocation simplicityVSAvoidinterference between devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different subcarrier block sizes to different devices based on their specific bandwidth requirements. Legacy devices receive allocations appropriate for 20 or 40 MHz operation, while modern devices receive larger 80 MHz allocations. This differentiated approach minimizes interference by ensuring each device receives only the bandwidth it needs, rather than uniformly distributing all devices across the full bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If subcarrier blocks of fixed size are allocated, then allocation processing is simplified, but flexibility in accommodating different device bandwidths is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallocation processing complexityVSAvoidflexibility in bandwidth allocation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by establishing a set of predefined subcarrier block sizes (26, 52, 104 subcarriers) that can be dynamically selected and combined based on real-time device requirements. The access point can flexibly combine these standard blocks to accommodate various bandwidth needs, providing adaptability while maintaining processing simplicity through standardized block definitions rather than custom allocations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3823205B1Subcarrier allocations for operation in mixed bandwidth environments

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SONY GROUP CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure provide bandwidth allocation in wireless telecommunications including communication devices that can operate according to different operating bandwidth. The bandwidth allocation can include allocation of subcarrier blocks having specific sizes. The subcarriers blocks can be contiguous within a channel or can be non-contiguous or distributed.