Uplink Resource Allocation in Beamforming Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the mmWave band, face challenges in efficiently managing Uplink resource allocation due to the lack of consideration for beamforming in cellular systems, leading to reduced coverage and increased interference.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring and determining the best UL beam pair information for both Mobile Stations (MS) and Base Stations (BS), selecting and mapping Bandwidth Request (BR) codes and channels to optimal beams, and transmitting these to allocate and manage UL resources effectively, enhancing beamforming gain and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming technology is applied to mmWave wireless communication, then path loss is mitigated and coverage is increased, but system complexity increases due to the need for beam management and resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth request process by introducing separate BR channels for different beam directions. Each BR channel is associated with specific beam pairs, allowing the system to handle beam management independently for each channel segment. This segmentation reduces the complexity of overall beam management by dividing it into smaller, manageable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary beam pairing and BR channel allocation before actual uplink resource requests. The base station pre-configures multiple BR channels with associated beam pairs and transmits this configuration to mobile stations in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time beam management during resource allocation, reducing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If contention-based bandwidth request channels are used in beamforming systems, then multiple access is supported, but interference between beams increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bandwidth request channel into multiple independent BR channels, each dedicated to specific beam pairs. By segmenting the channel resources in this way, the patent ensures that contention-based access in one beam channel does not cause interference to other beam channels, as each channel operates independently with its own set of beam pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
Each BR channel is configured with specific beam pair associations, creating local optimization for each channel. The patent assigns particular beam pairs to particular BR channels, ensuring that interference is localized and contained within specific beam directions rather than affecting the entire system. This local quality approach allows multiple access while minimizing cross-beam interference.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional uplink resource allocation is used without beam consideration, then implementation is simple, but beamforming gain is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of BR channels with beam pair associations before resource allocation occurs. The base station pre-establishes the mapping between BR channels and beam pairs, and mobile stations are informed of this configuration in advance. This preliminary setup maintains implementation simplicity while enabling beamforming gain, as the complex beam management is resolved beforehand rather than during resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beam-aware resource allocation where the system adapts traditional simple allocation by incorporating beam information. The BR channel selection and resource allocation are dynamically adjusted based on beam pair conditions, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while achieving beamforming gain through adaptive, beam-specific allocation decisions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for requesting Uplink (UL) resource allocation in a beamforming-based wireless communication system are provided. A Mobile Station (MS) acquires UL beam pair information indicating a best MS transmit beam and a best Base Station (BS) receive beam for UL transmission, determines a best BS transmit beam for Downlink (DL) reception, selects a Bandwidth Request (BR) code and a BR channel from available BR codes and a designated BR transmit resource, wherein at least one of the BR code and the BR channel is mapped to at least one of the best BS receive beam and the best BS transmit beam, and transmits the selected BR code to a BS over the selected BR channel. The BS allocates a UL resource for transmission of a BR message and UL data considering the best BS receive beam.