Dynamic Subcarrier Allocation with Radiation Mask for Interference Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current frequency spectrum allocation methods in wireless multi-carrier communication systems face challenges such as spectrum shortage, high licensing costs, low flexibility, and interference issues due to exclusive allocation, especially when operators need to share spectrum resources.

Innovation Solution

A method for allocating subcarriers in a wireless multi-carrier communication system that reduces mutual interference between operators by using a central control mechanism to dynamically allocate non-overlapping frequency fragments, allowing flexible adaptation of signal characteristics and transmission resources, and employing a radiation mask to manage interference based on frequency synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If exclusive frequency spectrum allocation is used, then quality of service and interference management are improved, but spectrum availability and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidspectrum flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic spectrum allocation where the central control means continuously monitors spectrum usage and reallocates subcarriers based on current network conditions and operator demands. This transforms the static exclusive allocation into a dynamic system that adapts to changing requirements, maintaining QoS through active management while providing spectrum flexibility through real-time reallocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The central control means performs preliminary actions by pre-planning and coordinating spectrum allocations before interference occurs. It proactively manages subcarrier distribution among operators, anticipating potential interference scenarios and resolving them before they impact service quality, thus maintaining reliability while enabling flexible sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If exclusive frequency spectrum allocation is used, then interference management is improved, but spectrum utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference managementVSAvoidspectrum utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into discrete subcarriers that can be independently allocated to different operators. This segmentation allows the central control means to distribute subcarriers dynamically based on demand, enabling multiple operators to share the same frequency band simultaneously without mutual interference, thus improving spectrum utilization while maintaining interference management through coordinated allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central control means serves multiple functions: it acts as a spectrum allocator, interference coordinator, and resource optimizer simultaneously. This multi-functional approach enables the system to manage interference from multiple operators sharing the spectrum while maximizing overall spectrum utilization efficiency through intelligent resource distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If frequency spectrum is shared among operators, then spectrum availability is improved, but mutual interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum availabilityVSAvoidmutual interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The central control means acts as an intermediary between multiple operators sharing the frequency spectrum. It coordinates subcarrier allocations, ensures orthogonal resource distribution, and manages interference scenarios by mediating between competing operator demands. This intermediary function enables spectrum sharing while preventing harmful interference through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary interference coordination by the central control means before operators transmit signals. It pre-coordinates subcarrier assignments and resolves potential interference scenarios in advance, allowing multiple operators to share the spectrum efficiently without experiencing harmful mutual interference during actual communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-generated harmful factors

If perfect frequency synchronization is required for spectrum sharing, then interference reduction is improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference reductionVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central control means serves as an intermediary that manages frequency synchronization between operators. Instead of requiring operators to achieve perfect synchronization independently, the central controller coordinates and aligns subcarrier frequencies, reducing interference while eliminating the need for complex peer-to-peer synchronization mechanisms between operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3056039B1Method and control means for allocating subcarriers of a frequency spectrum to operators
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 HUAWEI TECH DUESSELDORF
  • EP3056039B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3056039B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3056039B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4

AI summary

A method for allocating subcarriers of a frequency spectrum (1) to operators in a wireless multi carrier communication system, which comprises a central control means (3) and at least two base stations (4, 4', 5) for wireless communication with terminals (6, 7, 8) in said wireless multi carrier communication system, said at least two base stations (4, 4', 5) being operated by at least two operators, comprising the steps of determining, by said central control means (3), a subcarrier distribution, said subcarrier distribution being an allocation of fragments of said frequency spectrum (1) to said at least two operators, wherein a fragment comprises at least one subcarrier and is only allocated to one of said at least two operators, but not to another one of said at least two operators, forwarding, by said central control means (3), said subcarrier distribution to said at least two base stations, and forwarding, by said central control means (3), a radiation mask which comprises information allowing base stations (4, 4', 5) to reduce interference between different operators to which adjacent fragments are allocated to said at least two base stations (4, 4', 5), depending on the frequency synchronization between the different operators to which adjacent fragments are allocated.