Subframe Availability for Machine Type Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing subframes for bundled transmissions in machine type communication (MTC) devices, as certain subframes are unavailable due to configurations like TDD, MBSFN, or measurement gaps, leading to interference and reduced coverage for low-cost MTC User Equipments (UEs).
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying unavailable subframes within a radio frame and adjusting transmissions to use bundled communications across multiple subframes within a wider system bandwidth, by determining available narrowband regions and adapting duplexing modes to ensure valid uplink and downlink subframes, allowing for effective communication despite unavailability of certain subframes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bundled transmissions are used across multiple subframes to enhance coverage for MTC devices, then coverage and reliability are improved, but interference occurs when certain subframes are unavailable due to TDD, MBSFN, or measurement gap configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bundled transmission into multiple parts, transmitting some bundles in the first uplink subframe and other bundles in the second uplink subframe. This segmentation allows the system to avoid unavailable subframes (those affected by TDD, MBSFN, or measurement gap configurations) while maintaining coverage enhancement for MTC devices. The transmission is divided such that not all bundles need to be transmitted in a single contiguous block, enabling flexible scheduling around unavailable subframes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic scheduling of bundled transmissions by determining which uplink subframes are available for transmission. The system dynamically adjusts the transmission timing based on the availability of uplink subframes, selecting appropriate subframes from the first or second uplink subframe based on real-time network conditions and configuration. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying TDD, MBSFN, and measurement gap configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If subframes are reserved for specific purposes (TDD, MBSFN, measurement gaps), then system functionality is maintained, but availability for bundled transmissions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to serve multiple functions simultaneously by allowing bundled transmissions to utilize any available uplink subframe. The same transmission mechanism works whether the first and second uplink subframes are contiguous or separated by unavailable subframes. This universal approach allows the system to maintain TDD, MBSFN, and measurement gap functionalities while still providing coverage enhancement for MTC devices using available subframes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the system to skip over unavailable subframes when scheduling bundled transmissions. When certain subframes are designated for TDD, MBSFN, or measurement gap purposes, the scheduling mechanism skips these unavailable subframes and schedules bundles in the next available uplink subframe. This skipping mechanism ensures that reserved subframe configurations are respected while minimizing the loss of transmission opportunities.
3Productivity
If contiguous subframes are used for bundled transmissions, then transmission efficiency is improved, but flexibility is reduced when dealing with heterogeneous network environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bundled transmission schedule to accommodate non-contiguous uplink subframes. Instead of requiring all bundles to be transmitted in a single contiguous block, the transmission is divided into multiple segments that can be scheduled in different uplink subframes. This segmentation maintains transmission efficiency by utilizing available subframes while adapting to heterogeneous network environments where subframe availability varies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scheduling parameters to allow non-contiguous subframe usage. The system adjusts the bundle scheduling parameters to account for gaps between uplink subframes, modifying the transmission timing and resource allocation accordingly. This parameter change enables the system to maintain efficiency by utilizing available subframes while adapting to the specific constraints of heterogeneous network environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications and more specifically to a method for machine type communications involving identifying one or more subframes, within at least one radio frame, unavailable for bundled transmissions across multiple subframes and communicating, via at least one narrowband region within a wider system bandwidth, using bundled transmissions across multiple subframes based on the identification.