Tree Structure Resource Allocation for LTE Uplink Flexibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current resource allocation methods in LTE wireless communication networks lack flexibility, leading to inefficient spectrum utilization and increased signaling load, particularly in supporting high data rates and multimedia services.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a tree structure with multiple branches for resource allocation, where each branch has different starting positions and cluster sizes, allowing for flexible allocation of physical resource blocks to user equipment, and optimizing indexing to reduce signaling load by removing overlapping clusters and reindexing available clusters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a continuous set of resources is allocated in frequency for uplink transmission, then resource allocation is simple, but flexibility is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The resource allocation is segmented into multiple branches, where each branch represents a different allocation pattern (e.g., contiguous resources, non-contiguous resources, different resource densities). This segmentation allows the system to switch between different allocation strategies based on service requirements, thereby achieving both simplicity (by selecting from predefined patterns) and flexibility (by having multiple pattern types).
Solution Approach 2:
The resource allocation becomes dynamic by allowing the network to select different branches based on real-time conditions such as service type, channel quality, and user equipment capabilities. The allocation can adapt between contiguous and non-contiguous patterns, and between different resource densities, making the system flexible while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized selection criteria.
2Productivity
If more flexible resource allocation is implemented, then spectrum utilization improves, but signalling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing complete freedom in resource allocation, the system implements partial flexibility by offering a limited set of predefined allocation patterns across multiple branches. This partial action approach achieves improved spectrum utilization through selective use of non-contiguous and variable-density allocations, while keeping signalling load manageable by restricting choices to a finite set of standardized patterns rather than allowing arbitrary allocations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple starting positions and cluster sizes are used, then allocation flexibility increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different branches provide different local qualities of resource allocation. For example, one branch may offer contiguous allocations suitable for services requiring high data rates, while another branch offers non-contiguous allocations suitable for services requiring frequency diversity. Each branch is optimized for specific local requirements, achieving overall system flexibility without requiring every component to handle all possible allocation types, thus managing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Apparatus and method for resource allocation are provided. An apparatus comprisesa controller configured to: utilize a tree structure with more than one branch in the resource allocation of physical resource blocks, each branch comprising one or more legal starting positions for resource allocation. Each starting position is associated with a cluster of physical resource blocks, the number of starting positions being different on each branch. The size of the resource clusters of each branch is different. The controller is configured to denote each resource cluster with a predefined index, and allocate one or more clusters to user equipment uplink connection.