UL/DL Scheduling for Bandwidth Utilization in GERAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems with user equipment (UE) incapable of simultaneous uplink and downlink transmission face inefficiencies due to underutilization of bandwidth and high processing demands, particularly in GSM/GERAN networks, where quick shifts in bandwidth demand are difficult to manage, leading to degraded quality of service and limited timeslot utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing rule-based schemes that prioritize uplink transmissions, allow downlink receptions when no data is being transmitted, and dynamically assign timeslots to minimize loss of downlink timeslots, enabling more efficient utilization of available bandwidth and supporting up to eight timeslots per carrier direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the network requires quick shifting of bandwidth demands between UL and DL directions, then the responsiveness to service requirements is improved, but the time required for switching occupies significant duration, leading to bandwidth under-utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timeslot assignment where the network can quickly reconfigure uplink and downlink timeslot allocations based on real-time bandwidth demands. The scheduler dynamically adjusts which timeslots are assigned to UL or DL direction without requiring lengthy reconfiguration procedures, enabling rapid adaptation while minimizing switching time penalties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary scheduling decisions by pre-configuring multiple timeslot patterns that can be quickly activated based on demand. Instead of switching individual timeslots one by one, the network prepares alternative scheduling configurations in advance and can rapidly switch between pre-defined patterns, reducing the effective switching time.
2Device complexity
If the GERAN provides equal bandwidth to ULs and DLs, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the multislot capability of the UE is under-utilized and bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic timeslot assignment that allows the network to flexibly allocate different numbers of timeslots to uplink and downlink based on actual traffic demands. Instead of fixed equal bandwidth allocation, the scheduler can assign more timeslots to the direction with higher demand, fully utilizing the UE's multislot capability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized procedures.
3Quantity of substance
If the UE supports a high number of timeslots for reception and transmission, then the bandwidth capacity is increased, but the processing resources of the UE are subjected to significant demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total timeslot capacity into separate uplink and downlink groups that can be independently managed. The UE processes uplink and downlink timeslots in distinct phases rather than simultaneously, reducing peak processing demands. This segmentation allows the UE to support high total timeslot capacity while managing processing resources efficiently by focusing on one direction at a time.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the UE is limited to five or six timeslots per carrier in one direction, then the processing demands are reduced, but the bandwidth utilization and quality of service are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timeslot assignment that allows the network to allocate up to eight timeslots per carrier direction when needed, rather than being limited to five or six. The UE's processing is managed dynamically by the network scheduler which coordinates transmissions to avoid overwhelming the UE, allowing higher timeslot capacity to be utilized without proportionally increasing processing demands through intelligent scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include receiving, by a user equipment incapable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously, a schedule to transmit data on an uplink, detecting, by the user equipment, whether there is data to be transmitted on the uplink, and receiving, by the user equipment, during a time corresponding to the schedule, data associated with a downlink, when it is determined that there is no data to be transmitted.