Terminal Device Preamble Transmission in TDD NB-IoT

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Solution Overview

Problem

In TDD NB-IoT, terminal devices face challenges in sending preambles due to limited continuous uplink resources, preventing them from accessing base stations effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a terminal device sending M symbol groups in K uplink subframe sets, with at least one consecutive uplink subframe in each set and spaced by downlink subframes, and frequency hopping between adjacent symbol groups with opposite directions, allowing for discontinuous uplink resource utilization and improved network synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a terminal device sends a preamble with time length of 5.6 ms or 6.4 ms in TDD NB-IoT, then the preamble transmission can be completed as in FDD NB-IoT, but the continuous uplink resources available in TDD are insufficient (at most three consecutive subframes with total time length of 3 ms)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreamble time lengthVSAvoiduplink resource availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the preamble transmission into multiple parts distributed across different uplink subframe sets. Instead of transmitting the entire preamble in one continuous time slot, the terminal device transmits multiple symbol groups in separate uplink subframe sets that are interspersed with downlink subframes, effectively dividing the transmission task to fit within TDD resource constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic transmission of symbol groups across multiple uplink subframe sets. The terminal device transmits symbol groups at periodic intervals separated by downlink subframes, creating a periodic action pattern that utilizes available TDD uplink resources efficiently while achieving the required total transmission duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If frequency hopping is applied between adjacent symbol groups, then resource utilization and reliability are improved, but phase impact on network device estimation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreamble transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtiming advance estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements frequency hopping in a periodic manner between adjacent symbol groups. The frequency hops follow a periodic pattern that allows the network device to predict and compensate for phase changes, thereby maintaining estimation accuracy while benefiting from the diversity and reliability improvements provided by frequency hopping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances resource utilization and resolves the issue of preamble transmission in TDD NB-IoT, enabling terminal devices to access base stations and improving timing advance estimation reliability.

Implementation Method 1

N times of frequency hopping exist in the M symbol groups, each of the N times of frequency hopping is frequency hopping between adjacent symbol groups in the M symbol groups, and frequency hopping directions of at least two of the N times of frequency hopping are opposite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency hopping:

Data Source

PatentEP3700285B1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A communication method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: determining, by a terminal device, a preamble, where the preamble includes M symbol groups, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; and sending, by the terminal device, the M symbol groups in K uplink subframe sets, where any uplink subframe set in the K uplink subframe sets includes at least one consecutive uplink subframes, any two uplink subframe sets in the K uplink subframe sets are spaced by at least one downlink subframe, and in each of the K uplink subframe sets at least one symbol group can be sent, where K is a positive integer greater than 1, and K is less than or equal to M; and N times of frequency hopping exist in the M symbol groups, each of the N times of frequency hopping is frequency hopping between adjacent symbol groups in the M symbol groups, and frequency hopping directions of at least two of the N times of frequency hopping are opposite, where N is less than M.