Time-Domain Resource Allocation for Multi-Slot OFDM Coverage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resource allocation methods in communication networks, particularly in 5G and future standards like 6G, are inflexible and inadequate for scenarios where mobile devices experience coverage shortages, leading to diminished performance and coverage due to limited transmission power distribution across larger bandwidths.

Innovation Solution

Introduce a new paradigm for time-domain resource allocation by grouping OFDM symbols into symbol groups and slots into virtual slots, allowing for flexible and configurable resource allocation through TDRA information, enabling improved transmission success.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If transport block size (TBS) is increased to transmit more data, then data transmission capacity is improved, but transmission power is distributed over larger bandwidth resulting in decreased received SNR and diminished coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidreceived SNR and coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transport block is segmented into multiple codeblocks when TBS exceeds the maximum codeblock size. Each codeblock is independently encoded and transmitted, allowing the system to maintain manageable coding complexity while transmitting larger data volumes. This segmentation enables the data to be distributed across multiple resources without requiring the entire TBS to be transmitted simultaneously over the full bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-slot transmission to multi-slot transmission by introducing the parameter 'number of slots' for PUSCH repetitions. This dimensional change allows the same transport block to be transmitted across multiple time slots, effectively trading frequency bandwidth for time duration. The transport block can be distributed across slots while maintaining concentrated power transmission in each slot, thereby preserving received SNR while increasing overall data capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If transmission power is concentrated in fewer resources to maintain high received SNR, then coverage and reliability are improved, but data transmission capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceived SNR and coverageVSAvoiddata transmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous transmission by repeating the PUSCH across multiple slots. Instead of transmitting all data in a single slot with limited resources, the useful transmission action continues across multiple slots. Each repetition contributes to the overall data delivery, and the continuous transmission ensures that power is consistently concentrated in each transmission instance, maintaining high received SNR while accumulating data capacity over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds the time dimension by transmitting across multiple slots. Rather than expanding only in frequency bandwidth (which would dilute power concentration), the system expands in the time dimension. This allows the same concentrated power strategy to be applied repeatedly across slots, maintaining reliability while increasing total data capacity through temporal extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If existing methods like repetitions or TBoMS are used to enhance transmission success, then transmission reliability is improved, but resource allocation flexibility is restricted due to immutable slot-based framework

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission successVSAvoidresource allocation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation by making the number of slots for PUSCH repetitions a configurable parameter rather than a fixed value. The system can adaptively adjust the number of slots based on channel conditions, traffic requirements, and power availability. This dynamic approach replaces the static slot-based framework with a flexible multi-slot framework that can be optimized for different scenarios, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal resource allocation framework that can accommodate multiple transmission scenarios within a single unified structure. The multi-slot PUSCH repetition mechanism can serve both coverage enhancement (through repetitions) and capacity enhancement (through extended resources) functions. This universal approach replaces multiple specialized mechanisms with a single flexible framework that can be configured for different purposes, thereby improving versatility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4686129A1Resource allocation
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4686129A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4686129A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4686129A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Methods, apparatus and systems for resource allocation are disclosed.