Wireless Terminal Identifier Segmentation for Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing air link resources due to increasing user demand, leading to peaks in control signaling overhead and inefficient allocation of traffic channel segments, especially when dealing with diverse user requirements and applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves communicating a base station-assigned wireless terminal identifier and a mask value to determine the mode of operation, allowing for flexible assignment of traffic channel segments using full-tone or split-tone formats, reducing control signaling overhead and optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a unique base station assigned user identifier is allocated to each wireless terminal, then user identification capability is improved, but control signaling overhead increases due to more bits needed in assignment messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user identification process into two parts: a base station assigned identifier (BSAID) that is short and used for control signaling, and a terminal assigned identifier (TAID) that is longer and used for data transmission. This segmentation allows the control signaling to use only the short BSAID, reducing overhead while maintaining full identification capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to identification by creating two levels of identifiers with different purposes. The BSAID operates at the control signaling level with minimal bits, while the TAID operates at the data transmission level with more bits. This dimensional separation resolves the contradiction between identification precision and signaling overhead.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each user is treated equally with potential assignment to any traffic channel segment, then assignment flexibility is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates when user traffic patterns vary significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different users to have different assignment characteristics based on their needs. Through the BSAID-TAID mapping mechanism, users with high traffic demands can be assigned to channels with more segments, while users with lower demands use fewer segments. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between uniform assignment flexibility and differentiated resource allocation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic assignment where the relationship between BSAID and TAID can be flexibly configured based on user traffic patterns and channel conditions. The system can dynamically adjust which TAs are assigned to which BSAs, allowing adaptation to varying user demands while maintaining the flexibility to assign to any channel segment when needed.
3Quantity of substance
If more traffic channel segments are allocated to accommodate peak user demand, then user service capability is improved, but control signaling overhead increases due to more assignment messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function into two separate components: BSAID for control signaling and TAID for data assignment. By taking out the full identification requirement from the control signaling phase, the system can support more traffic channel segments without proportionally increasing control signaling overhead, as only the short BSAID needs to be transmitted in assignment messages.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus related to assignment in a wireless communications system are described. A mobile is assigned an identifier and a mask value, e.g., as part of a state transition message. The mobile uses the assigned identifier and/or the assigned mask value in determining whether assignments included in assignment messages, e.g., traffic channel assignment messages, are directed to the wireless terminal. Predetermined associations between assignment slots, assigned segments, and/or mask values are utilized to limit control signaling overhead. Different groups of segments are available for assignment to different wireless terminals as a function of mask values. Different types of assignment messages use different amounts of information bits to convey the assignment. Some types of assignments use a wireless terminal identifier, while other types of assignments use a wireless terminal identifier and a mask identifier. The mask identifier, e.g., a single bit, allows for selection between a subset of the potential masks used in the system.