Dynamic Uplink Spectrum Sharing for Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The inefficiency in using statically allocated air interface resources in wireless communication systems leads to wasted resources, particularly when one base station has unused resources while another is at capacity, reducing the overall capacity and reliability of wireless networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing enhanced uplink spectrum sharing by dynamically reallocating statically allocated air interface resources between base stations using different Radio Access Technologies (RATs), allowing unused resources to be utilized by other devices, thereby improving resource efficiency and network reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If statically allocated air interface resources are used to guarantee resource availability for each base station, then resource reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource availabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation by allowing base stations to borrow statically allocated air interface resources from other base stations when those resources are not being used. This transforms the static allocation model into a dynamic one where resources can be reallocated in real-time based on actual usage needs, resolving the contradiction between guaranteed availability and efficient utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables air interface resources to serve multiple functions and multiple base stations. A statically allocated resource for Base Station A can simultaneously serve as an available resource for Base Station B when not in use by A, making the resource universal and multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single base station.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If statically allocated resources are assigned to each base station, then resource allocation simplicity is improved, but overall network capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation simplicityVSAvoidoverall network capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the resource pools of multiple base stations by allowing them to share statically allocated resources. Instead of maintaining separate, isolated resource allocations for each base station, the system combines the resource pools and allows flexible borrowing, thereby increasing overall network capacity while maintaining allocation simplicity through the standardized borrowing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If unused air interface resources remain allocated to a base station, then resource allocation stability is improved, but resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation stabilityVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where base stations monitor the usage status of their statically allocated resources and communicate availability information to other base stations. When a base station has unused resources, this information is fed back to the network, enabling other base stations to borrow these resources, thereby eliminating waste while maintaining allocation stability through the formal borrowing protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4205431B1Enhanced uplink spectrum sharing
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP4205431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4205431B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4205431B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques and apparatuses are described for enhanced uplink spectrum sharing. A base station communicates (605), to a user equipment, UE, an air interface resource configuration for a second air interface resource allocated to a second cell that uses a second radio access technology, RAT, and implemented by the base station. The base station receives (610) a first air interface resource configuration for a first air interface resource allocated to a first cell that uses a first RAT, where the first air interface resource configuration differs from the second air interface resource configuration. In aspects, the base station communicates (615) the first air interface resource configuration to the UE. Based on receiving (620) a low-utilization indication for the first air interface resource, the base station directs (625) the UE to utilize the first air interface resource for transmitting uplink communications using the second RAT.