Time-Frequency Resource Allocation via Orthogonal Beam Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In soft split technology for base stations, uneven UE distribution leads to inefficient use of time-frequency resources as some cells have fewer UEs, resulting in underutilization of allocated resources.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves measuring uplink reference signals to determine beam attributes of UEs and allocating time-frequency resources based on these attributes, ensuring that resources are effectively used even in cells with varying UE densities by matching orthogonal beam groups and transmission modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If intra-frequency soft split is used to increase network capacity, then more carriers are allocated and user equipment quantity increases, but time-frequency resources in cells with fewer UEs are not effectively used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser equipment quantityVSAvoidtime-frequency resource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges time-frequency resource scheduling across multiple cells by allowing UEs from different cells to share the same time-frequency resources through spatial multiplexing. The network device schedules UEs from first and second cells on overlapping resources, combining the resource pools of both cells to increase overall utilization efficiency while maintaining network capacity expansion benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation by adjusting the degree of resource overlap between cells based on UE distribution patterns. When UE distribution is uneven, the system dynamically schedules resources to allow greater sharing in underutilized cells, making the resource allocation flexible and adaptive to changing traffic conditions rather than using fixed cell-specific allocations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If separate scheduling is used for each cell, then spatial multiplexing on time-frequency resources is implemented, but resources in cells with fewer UEs are underutilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial multiplexing capabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes time-frequency resources universal across multiple cells by enabling the same resources to serve UEs from different cells simultaneously. Instead of dedicating resources to specific cells, the network device schedules resources that can be shared universally across cell boundaries, allowing underutilized resources in one cell to be effectively used by UEs from other cells through coordinated multi-cell scheduling.

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

3Area of stationary object

If symmetric coverage is provided for split cells, then network expansion is achieved, but uneven UE distribution causes resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidtime-frequency resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in resource allocation to compensate for symmetric coverage limitations. While the cells maintain symmetric geographic coverage, the resource scheduling becomes asymmetric by allowing different degrees of resource sharing and overlap between cells based on actual UE distribution patterns. This asymmetric scheduling approach ensures that cells with fewer UEs can utilize resources from other cells, balancing resource efficiency across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3796585B1Time-frequency resource allocation method and device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3796585B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3796585B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3796585B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a time-frequency resource allocation method and apparatus, and relates to the field of communications technologies. The method includes: obtaining an uplink reference signal of user equipment UE on which allocation is to be performed when scheduling a time-frequency resource for the UE on which allocation is to be performed; measuring, based on the obtained uplink reference signal, each beam in a second preset quantity of orthogonal beam groups including a first preset quantity of beams, to determine a level of each beam; then determining, based on the level of each beam, a beam attribute that is of the UE on which allocation is to be performed and that is in the second preset quantity of orthogonal beam groups; and then, allocating, based on the beam attribute that is of the UE on which allocation is to be performed and that is in the second preset quantity of orthogonal beam groups and a beam attribute that is of one or more UEs on which allocation has already been performed and that is in the second preset quantity of orthogonal beam groups, the time-frequency resource to the UE on which allocation is to be performed, where the UEs on which allocation has already been performed use a same time-frequency resource, and the same time-frequency resource is a same time-frequency resource block RB or a same time-frequency resource block group RBG. According to this application, time-frequency resource utilization may be improved.