Uplink Resource Allocation for Machine Type Communications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless broadband systems, such as LTE, face inefficiencies in transmitting small payload packets due to high signaling overhead and power consumption, particularly in Massive Machine Communication (MMC) scenarios, where sporadic uplink data from numerous devices leads to large SR capacity requirements or scheduling delays, and contention-based random access channels waste radio resources.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method with two resource allocation mechanisms that assign uplink resources based on service type and device category, using a mapping relation to uplink scheduling request resources or indices, allowing for efficient allocation and reducing radio resource waste by using contention-free and contention-based scheduling request channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If closed loop procedures with periodic contention-free SR resources are used, then scheduling delay is reduced, but SR capacity requirements become large for numerous devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling delayVSAvoidSR capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by allowing contention-free SR resources to serve dual purposes: both as scheduling request indicators and as implicit uplink resource allocations. When a device sends an SR on a contention-free resource, the base station interprets this not only as a scheduling request but also as an implicit grant of uplink resources, eliminating the need for separate SR capacity for each device while maintaining low scheduling delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If contention-based random access channel is used for scheduling requests, then radio resource waste is reduced, but scheduling delay increases for sporadic data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio resource usageVSAvoidscheduling delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling devices to dynamically select between contention-based and contention-free SR mechanisms based on their specific needs. Devices with sporadic data transmissions can use contention-free resources for immediate scheduling, while devices with continuous traffic can use contention-based resources, allowing the system to adapt resource allocation patterns to traffic characteristics and minimize both delay and resource waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If strict time synchronization with closed loop procedures is implemented, then uplink transmission efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases for MMC devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink transmission efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring contention-free SR resources during initial access or connection setup. This allows devices to have predetermined uplink resources allocated in advance, eliminating the need for continuous closed-loop synchronization procedures. Devices can transmit data using these pre-allocated resources without frequent power-consuming synchronization exchanges, thereby maintaining uplink efficiency while reducing power consumption for MMC devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If separate resource sets for UE and M2M are used, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidscheduler complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the scheduling request mechanism and uplink resource allocation into a single unified process. Instead of maintaining separate resource sets and scheduling procedures for UE and M2M devices, the patent allows contention-free SR resources to serve both functions simultaneously. This unification reduces scheduler complexity while maintaining resource allocation efficiency, as the base station interprets SR transmissions on contention-free resources as both requests and implicit grants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3035754B1Method for allocation of uplink resources for machine type communications on resources already allocate to another device

Publication Date: 2018.10.24 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

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AI summary

The invention concerns a method for allocation of uplink resources using at least two resource allocation mechanisms, wherein a resource allocation mechanism of said at least two resource allocation mechanisms is used dependent on at least one of a service and a category of a device the uplink resources are used for, and at least one of said at least two resource allocation mechanisms assigns uplink resources by using a mapping relation of the uplink resources to uplink scheduling request resources or uplink scheduling request indices. The method is relevant for the allocation of resources for machine type communications, in an environment where conventional high-rate user equipment communications are preferentially allocated, wherein the allocation takes place on resources already allocated to such user equipment. The user equipment overhears or is informed of this allocation, and takes it into account one scheduling own uplink transmissions.