Subcarrier Physical Channel Allocation for Coverage and Relay Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eMTC systems face challenges in enhancing coverage due to limited power spectral density in uplink transmissions, and existing relay transmission methods lack service continuity during path switching or handover.
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting physical channels that involves determining transmission subcarrier resources based on base station configuration and using these resources for transmitting or receiving physical channels. Additionally, a layer 1/layer 2 based relay forwarding method is introduced to ensure service continuity during relay path switching or handover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resource allocation for physical channel transmission is performed in units of PRBs, then the power spectral density of uplink transmission is increased to a certain extent, but it still fails to meet the further requirement of the machine communication system for coverage enhancement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PRB resource allocation unit into smaller subcarrier units. Specifically, it allocates physical channel transmission resources in units of subcarriers rather than PRBs, dividing each PRB into multiple subcarriers (e.g., 12 subcarriers per PRB). This segmentation allows for more granular resource allocation and significantly increases the power spectral density by concentrating transmission power on fewer, specifically selected subcarriers, thereby meeting the coverage enhancement requirements of machine communication systems.
2Reliability
If layer 3 based relay forwarding is used, then information exchange between base station and remote terminals is enabled, but service continuity cannot be guaranteed when remote nodes switch relay paths or conduct handover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic relay transmission method where the relay node maintains layer 1/layer 2 connection contexts with both the base station and remote terminals. When path switching or handover occurs, the relay node can dynamically adjust its forwarding behavior while maintaining continuous service. The relay node keeps track of multiple potential relay paths and can switch between them seamlessly, ensuring service continuity without requiring complex layer 3 re-establishment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements prior cushioning by pre-establishing multiple relay paths and maintaining connection contexts for potential future switches. The relay node prepares alternative transmission paths in advance and maintains layer 1/layer 2 connection states that can be quickly activated when needed. This proactive approach ensures that when handover or path switching is required, the service continuity is maintained without interruption, as the necessary connection information and transmission parameters are already prepared.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a physical channel transmission method, which includes: determining transmission subcarrier resources according to a configuration of a base station; and sending or receiving physical channels on the transmission subcarrier resources. Compared with the prior art, the present invention subdivides resource allocation units for transmitting physical channels from PRBs to subcarriers, which significantly improves the power spectral density of the uplink transmission and effectively achieves coverage enhancement.