Dynamic Uplink Carrier Allocation for Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in allocating and de-allocating carriers for high-speed uplink packet access users, leading to suboptimal network coverage and service quality due to inadequate dynamic management of carriers based on changing channel conditions and sector loading.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for uplink carrier allocation that determine a set of network criteria, including sector loading data and channel conditions, to dynamically allocate carriers to mobile devices and notify them through radio network controller messages or high-speed shared control channel orders, enabling efficient carrier management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If carriers are statically allocated to users, then network configuration is simple, but network efficiency deteriorates due to inability to adapt to changing channel conditions and sector loading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier allocation adaptabilityVSAvoidcarrier management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic carrier allocation where the network controller continuously monitors channel conditions and sector loading, and adjusts carrier assignments in real-time based on current network state. This transforms the static carrier allocation into a dynamic system that adapts to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the system responsive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the network controller receives continuous information about channel quality and sector loading, processes this information, and adjusts carrier allocations accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the network to automatically optimize carrier distribution without manual intervention, achieving adaptability while managing complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If multiple carriers are allocated to users, then data transmission rate is improved, but network overhead increases due to carrier allocation management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allocating multiple carriers selectively to specific users based on their individual channel conditions and service requirements, rather than uniformly allocating carriers to all users. This targeted approach ensures that the overhead of managing multiple carriers is justified only where it produces actual performance benefits, optimizing the trade-off between transmission rate and overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes allocation parameters (number of carriers, which carriers) based on real-time network conditions and user requirements. By adjusting these parameters adaptively, the system achieves high data transmission rates when conditions warrant multiple carriers while reducing overhead by using fewer carriers when conditions don't justify the complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If carriers are reallocated dynamically based on real-time conditions, then network efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidcarrier allocation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the system automatically monitors its own state, makes allocation decisions, and executes reallocations without external intervention. The network controller autonomously manages carrier distribution based on observed conditions, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while achieving dynamic optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network controller is designed as a multi-functional entity that performs monitoring, decision-making, and execution of carrier allocations within a single integrated system. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into one component, managing overall system complexity while enabling sophisticated dynamic reallocation capabilities.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2394480B1Multiple uplink carrier allocation in wireless communication networks
Publication Date: 2017.11.08 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2394480B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2394480B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2394480B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This innovation relates to systems and methods for multiple carrier allocation in wireless communication networks, and more particularly to allocation and/or de¬ allocation of one or multiple carriers on the uplink to a high-speed uplink packet access user. A radio network controller can allocate uplink carriers to users based on a plurality of criteria, including but not limited to network loading, channel conditions, and so forth. The allocation messages can be transmitted to the user via layer three messages or layer one signaling.