Uplink Data Allocation Across Carrier Frequencies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in providing sufficient uplink communications capacity, especially at high frequencies due to high path loss, and existing techniques are not economically or technically feasible to apply equally to both uplink and downlink communications.

Innovation Solution

A method in a communications device to allocate uplink data between two base stations operating on different carrier frequencies, where the fraction of data is determined based on radio conditions and acknowledgement information, allowing dynamic adjustment of data transmission between the first and second carrier frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high frequency carriers are used for uplink communications, then data transmission capacity is improved, but path loss increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink data transmission capacityVSAvoidpath loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink data transmission into two parts: a first portion transmitted on a first carrier frequency and a second portion transmitted on a second carrier frequency. This segmentation allows the system to utilize both high frequency carriers (for capacity) and low frequency carriers (for reliability), thereby resolving the contradiction between transmission capacity and path loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameter by utilizing multiple carrier frequencies with different characteristics. The first carrier frequency can be a high frequency carrier providing high data rate, while the second carrier frequency can be a low frequency carrier providing better coverage. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both high capacity and low path loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If supplementary uplink resources are added to enhance uplink capacity, then data transmission capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink data transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the communications device universal by enabling it to transmit data on multiple carrier frequencies simultaneously. The device can dynamically select which carrier frequency to use based on channel conditions, thereby enhancing uplink capacity without requiring separate dedicated systems for each frequency band.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic characteristics by allowing the communications device to adaptively adjust the data transmission based on real-time channel conditions. The device can dynamically switch between different carrier frequencies and adjust the proportion of data transmitted on each frequency, thereby managing system complexity through intelligent control rather than fixed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3656166B1Wireless communications system, communications device and wireless network infrastructure
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3656166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3656166B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3656166B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to one example embodiment of the present technique, there is provided a method performed in a communications device for transmitting data to one of a first infrastructure equipment and a second infrastructure equipment, the infrastructure equipment forming a part of a wireless communications network and providing resources for uplink communications by the communications device on different carrier frequencies. The method comprises allocating a fraction of the data for transmitting to the first infrastructure equipment of the wireless communications network using a first carrier frequency, allocating a remainder of the data for transmitting to a second infrastructure equipment of the wireless communications network using a second carrier frequency, the second carrier frequency differing from the first carrier frequency, transmitting the fraction of data using the first carrier frequency and the remainder of data using the second carrier frequency, determining an attribute associated with communicating the data from the communications device to the first infrastructure equipment using the first carrier frequency based upon signals received from the first infrastructure equipment, modifying the fraction based on at least the determined attribute, and transmitting the data using at least one of the first and second carrier frequencies according to the modified fraction.The determined attribute may be based on acknowledgement information received from the first infrastructure equipment or by measurements of signals received from the first infrastructure equipment. Accordingly, uplink data transmissions can be allocated for transmission to either the first infrastructure equipment or the second infrastructure equipment.