WO2015192299A1

WO2015192299A1 - Method and apparatus for allocating time-frequency resource

Info

Publication number: WO2015192299A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/079962
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jun Wang; Tianle Deng; Guohua Zhou; Xiaoqian JIA
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2014-06-16
Filing date: 2014-06-16
Publication date: 2015-12-23
Also published as: CN106465356B; CN106465356A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a method and an apparatus for allocating time-frequency resource in a frequency-band in a cell. The method includes: configuring three types of time-frequency resource including a first type of time-frequency resource in a first time period, a second type of time-frequency resource in a second time period, and a third type of time-frequency resource in a third time period; allocating the first type of time-frequency resource to one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission and one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission; allocating the second type of time-frequency resource to one or more CEU using the first RAT to perform data transmission; allocating the third type of time-frequency resource to one or more CEU using the second RAT to perform data transmission. The present application improves an overall throughput capacity in the cell.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALLOCATING

TIME-FREQUENCY RESOURCE

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for allocating time-frequency resource.

BACKGROUND

[0002] With a rapid development of mobile communication technology, the number of the user equipments (UEs) using multi-media mobile services keeps increasing. A large amount of different mobile services and its continued growth bring the operators a great challenge. A strategy is required to utilize the existing spectrum more efficiently.

[0003] FIG 1 illustrates a pattern of a cell by using a conventional method for allocating time-frequency resource. A 5M time-frequency resource is released from universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access technology (RAT) when the traffic of UMTS drops below a preset level. In this pattern, the released 5M time-frequency resource of the cell is exclusively allocated between long term evolution (LTE) RAT and UMTS RAT alternately accordingly to a certain parameter. For example, the 5M time-frequency resource of the cell is released from UMTS RAT and allocated to LTE RAT when UMTS RAT is supposed to have a low traffic in the cell; and the 5M time-frequency resource of the cell is released from LTE RAT and allocated to UMTS RAT when UMTS RAT is supposed to have a high traffic in the cell. However, at any time, the 5M time-frequency resource is only allocated to one RAT. Therefore, the overall throughput capacity in the cell is relatively low.

SUMMARY [0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for allocating time-frequency resource in a frequency -band in a first cell.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method for allocating time-frequency resource in a frequency-band in a first cell is provided. There are one or more cell-center user equipments (CCUs) and one or more cell-edge user equipments (CEUs) in the first cell. The first cell belongs to a first base station configured to perform data transmission using a first access technology (RAT) and data transmission using a second RAT. The method includes: an apparatus configures at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency-band. The three types of time-frequency resource includes a first type of time-frequency resource in a first time period, a second type of time-frequency resource in a second time period, and a third type of time-frequency resource in a third time period. The apparatus allocates the first type of time-frequency resource in the first time period to both one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell and one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell. The apparatus allocates the second type of time-frequency resource in the second time period to one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell. The apparatus allocates the third type of time-frequency resource in the third time period to one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell.

[0006] In a first possible implementation form of the method according to the first aspect, the step that the apparatus configures at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency-band includes: the apparatus sets a length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, a length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource and a length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

[0007] In a second possible implementation form of the method according to the first implementation form of the first aspect, the method further includes: the apparatus performs scheduling to obtain load information. The load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, load of the second type of time-frequency resource, and load of the third type of time-frequency resource. According to the load information, the apparatus adjusts at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

[0008] In a third possible implementation form of the method according to the first aspect or according to the first implementation form of the first aspect, the method further includes: the apparatus sets a threshold in the first cell. The threshold is used to determine whether a user equipment (UE) is a CCU or a CEU.

[0009] In a fourth possible implementation form of the method according to the third implementation form of the first aspect, the method further includes: the apparatus performs scheduling to obtain load information. The load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, and load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource. The apparatus adjusts the threshold in the first cell according to the load information.

[0010] In a fifth possible implementation form of the method according to the third implementation form of the first aspect or according to the fourth implementation form of the first aspect, the method further includes: the apparatus receives from a second base station a first request indicating the threshold in the first cell to be adjusted. A second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The first request includes interference information indicating interference received by one or more CEUs in the second cell. The apparatus adjusts the threshold in the first cell after the first request is received.

[0011] In a sixth possible implementation form of the method according to the first aspect or according to the any of the preceding implementation forms of the first aspect, the method further includes: the apparatus receives from a second base station a second request indicating the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell to be re-configured. A second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The second request includes time-frequency resource configuration information of the second cell. The apparatus adjusts a sequence among the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell after the second request is received, so that at least one of a part of the second time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell and a part of the third time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell is staggered from a time period allocated to one or more CEUs in the second cell.

[0012] According to a second aspect, an apparatus for allocating time-frequency resource in a frequency-band in a first cell is provided. There are one or more cell-center user equipments (CCUs) and one or more cell-edge user equipments (CEUs) in the first cell. The first cell belongs to a first base station configured to perform data transmission using a first access technology (RAT) and data transmission using a second RAT. The apparatus includes a configuring unit and an allocating unit. The configuring unit is configured to configure at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency-band. The three types of time-frequency resource includes a first type of time-frequency resource in a first time period, a second type of time-frequency resource in a second time period, and a third type of time-frequency resource in a third time period. The allocating unit is configured to allocate the first type of time-frequency resource in the first time period to both one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell and one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell, to allocate the second type of time-frequency resource in the second time period to one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell, and to allocate the third type of time-frequency resource in the third time period to one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell.

[0013] In a first possible implementation form of the apparatus according to the second aspect, the configuring unit is configured to set a length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, a length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource and a length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

[0014] In a second possible implementation form of the apparatus according to the first implementation form of the second aspect, the apparatus further includes a scheduling unit. The scheduling unit is configured to perform scheduling to obtain load information. The load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, load of the second type of time-frequency resource, and load of the third type of time-frequency resource. The configuring unit is configured to adjust, according to the load information, at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

[0015] In a third possible implementation form of the apparatus according to the second aspect or according to the first implementation form of the second aspect, the apparatus further includes a threshold controlling unit. The threshold controlling unit is configured to set a threshold in the first cell. The threshold is used to determine whether a user equipment (UE) is a CCU or a CEU.

[0016] In a fourth possible implementation form of the apparatus according to the third implementation form of the second aspect, the apparatus further includes a scheduling unit. The scheduling unit is configured to perform scheduling to obtain load information. The load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, and load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource. The threshold controlling unit is configured to adjust the threshold in the first cell according to the load information. [0017] In a fifth possible implementation form of the apparatus according to the third implementation form of the second aspect or according to the fourth implementation form of the second aspect, the apparatus further includes a receiving unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive from a second base station a first request indicating the threshold in the first cell to be adjusted. A second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The first request includes interference information indicating interference received by one or more CEUs in the second cell. The threshold controlling unit is configured to adjust the threshold in the first cell after the first request is received by the receiving unit.

[0018] In a sixth possible implementation form of the apparatus according to the second aspect or according to the any of the preceding implementation forms of the second aspect, the apparatus further includes a receiving unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive from a second base station a second request indicating the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell to be re-configured. A second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The second request includes time-frequency resource configuration information of the second cell. The configuring unit is configured to adjust a sequence among the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell after the second request is received, so that at least one of a part of the second time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell and a part of the third time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell is staggered from a time period allocated to one or more CEUs in the second cell.

[0019] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below. According to the embodiments of the present application, at any time in the first time period, both CCU using the first RAT to perform data transmission and CCU using the second RAT to perform data transmission are able to compete to use the first type of time-frequency resource to perform data transmission. The time of the time-frequency resource being allocated for each RAT in the cell center is extended. Furthermore, the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource are allocated to CEU for using the first RAT to perform data transmission and CEU using the second RAT to perform data transmission, respectively. Therefore, the CEU is not subjected to strong interferences from other UE using a different RAT to perform data transmission. Therefore, the overall throughput capacity in the cell is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] To illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present invention, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0021] FIG 1 illustrates a pattern of a cell by using a conventional method for allocating time-frequency resource;

[0022] FIG 2A illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 200, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2B illustrates a scenario in which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied;

[0024] FIG. 2C illustrates an example of how the time-frequency resource is allocated to the three types of time-frequency resource;

[0025] FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B illustrate an example of how the sequence of different types of time-frequency resource is adjusted in time domain;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for allocating time frequency resource, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0028] FIG 2A illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 200, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B illustrates a scenario in which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2A is described in relation with FIG. 2B.

[0029] The apparatus 200 is operable for allocating time-frequency resource in a frequency-band in a cell. The cell belongs to a base station at least configured to perform data transmission using a first random access technology (RAT) and data transmission using a second RAT, for example, the first RAT and the second RAT may be any two of global system for mobile communication (GSM) RAT, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) RAT and long term evolution (LTE) RAT. LTE herein refers to LTE in form of frequency division duplex (FDD), that is, the uplink channel band-width is in pair with the downlink channel band-width. In other words, the base station is configured to achieve integrated deployment for different RATs such as GSM RAT, UMTS RAT and LTE RAT. For example, the base station is a single radio access network (SRAN) base station. In the following description, the first RAT refers to the UMTS RAT, and the second RAT refers to the LTE RAT. A frequency-band is released from UMTS RAT when the traffic of the UMTS RAT drops below a preset level. The frequency -band to be allocated has a bandwidth compatible with both data transmission using the first RAT and data transmission using the second RAT. For example, a minimum bandwidth compatible with data transmission using UMTS RAT and data transmission using LTE RAT is 5M.

[0030] In FIG. 2B, there are two cells 222 and 228 in this scenario. The cell 228 is a neighboring cell of the cell 222. The cells 222 and 228 belong to base stations 220 and 226, respectively. There is a central control node 242 for controlling signaling processing in this scenario. The central control node 242 may include but not limited to a single random access network (RAN) controller (SRC), a network management system (NMS), an element management system (EMS), or a mobility management entity (MME).

[0031] In one instance, the apparatus 200 can be implemented by the base station 220, for allocating time-frequency resource in its primary-serving cell 222. The apparatus 200 can also be implemented by the base station 226, for allocating time-frequency resource in its primary-serving cell 228. In another instance, the apparatus 200 can be implemented by the central control node 242, for allocating at least one of the time-frequency resource in the cell 222 and the time-frequency resource in the cell 228.

[0032] For illustrative purpose, in the following description, the apparatus 200 is used to allocate the time-frequency resource in the cell 222. However, it should be understood that it's not so limited; the invention also applies to the base station 226 for allocating time-frequency resource in its primary-serving cell 228, or applies to the central control node 242 for allocating the time-frequency resource in the cell 228 or any other cell. There are one or more cell-center user equipments (CCUs) and one or more cell-edge user equipments (CEUs) in the cell 222. And the base station 220 is configured to perform data transmission using the first RAT and data transmission using the second RAT.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2A, the apparatus 200 includes a configuring unit 204 and an allocating unit 206. The configuring unit 204 and the allocating unit 206 can be implemented by a processor, for example, a processor in the base station 220, or a processor in the central control node 242. As used herein, the term "processor" refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores configured to process data, such as computer program instructions.

[0034] The configuring unit 204 is configured to configure at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency band. The three types of time-frequency resource includes a first type of time-frequency resource in a first time period, a second type of time-frequency resource in a second time period, and a third type of time-frequency resource in a third time period. The first time period, the second time period, and the third time period may appear in recurring cycles. The first time period, the second time period, and the third time period are represented in the unit of but not limited to sub-frame or time slot.

[0035] In one instance, the configuring unit 204 is configured to set a length of the first time period, a length of the second time period, and a length of the third time period. The configuring unit 204 is further configured to set a sequence among the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period in time domain. In one instance, the lengths and the sequence of different time period are randomly set. For example, the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource can be randomly set to two time slots and the sequence is that the first time period is before the second time period, which is before the third time period. In another instance, the lengths and the sequence of different time period are set according to a predetermined configuration.

[0036] The allocating unit 206 is configured to allocate the first type of time-frequency resource in the first time period to both one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the cell 222 and one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the cell 222, to allocate the second type of time-frequency resource in the second time period to one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the cell 222, and to allocate the third type of time-frequency resource in the third time period to one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the cell 222.

[0037] FIG. 2C illustrates an example of how the time-frequency resource is allocated to the three types of time-frequency resource. In the example of FIG. 2C, the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period appear in two recurring cycles, and the cycle period is 2 sub-frames (that is, 4 time slots). A first period Tl from the time slot TSl of sub-frame 1 to the time slot TS2 of sub-frame 2 and a second period T2 from the time slot TSl of sub-frame 3 to the time slot TS2 of sub-frame 4 are shown in FIG 2C. The first time period includes a time slot TSl of sub-frame 1 and a time slot TS2 of sub-frame 1 in the first period Tl, and includes a time slot TS1 of sub-frame 3 and a time slot TS2 of sub-frame 3 in the second period T2. The second time period includes a time slot TS1 of sub-frame 2 in the first period Tl, and includes a time slot TS1 of sub-frame 4 in the second period T2. The third time period includes a time slot TS2 of sub-frame 2 in the first period Tl, and includes a time slot TS2 of sub-frame 4 in the second period T2.

[0038] Therefore, the first type of time-frequency resource is used by the one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the base station 220 and the one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the base station 220 in the first time period, the second type of time-frequency resource is used by the one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the base station 220 in the second time period, and the third type of time-frequency resource is used by the one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the base station 220 in the third time period.

[0039] In operation of downlink data transmission, suppose the time-frequency resource in the cell 222 is allocated according to the above method, in the first time period, the base station 220 uses the first type of time-frequency resource to send downlink data to CCU in the cell 222 using the first RAT to perform data transmission; in the meanwhile, the base station 220 also uses the first type of time-frequency resource to send downlink data to CCU in the cell 222 using the second RAT to perform data transmission. In the second time period, the base station 220 uses the second type of time-frequency resource to send downlink data to CEU using the first RAT to perform data transmission. In the third time period, the base station 220 uses the third type of time-frequency resource to send downlink data to CEU using the second RAT to perform data transmission. A UE 224 monitors physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to acquire indication information of physical downlink share channel (PDSCH), so as to receive corresponding downlink data in PDSCH according to the acquired indication information.

[0040] In operation of uplink data transmission, after the UE 224 finishes downlink synchronization and acquires system information from physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and PDSCH, the UE 224 obtains resource allocation information and access configuration information. The resource allocation information indicates the type of time-frequency resource for the UE 224 to transmit uplink data. When the UE 224 requests a random access to the network, the UE 224 sends an uplink random access preamble to the base station 220 through physical random access channel (PRACH) according to the access configuration information to perform uplink synchronization. After the UE 224 is successfully accessed to the network, for example, when the UE 224 desires to use a service, the UE 224 sends a service request (SR) through physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) to request uplink scheduling. The UE 224 then monitors PDCCH to acquire indication information of physical uplink share channel (PUSCH), so as to transmit uplink data in PUSCH according to the acquired indication information and according to the resource allocation information.

[0041] For example, if the UE 224 is a CCU using the first RAT to perform data transmission or a CCU using the second RAT to perform data transmission, the resource allocation information indicates the UE 224 to use the first type of time-frequency resource to transmit uplink data. If the UE 224 is a CEU using the first RAT to perform data transmission, the resource allocation information indicates the UE 224 to use the second type of time-frequency resource to transmit uplink data. If the UE 224 is a CEU using the second RAT to perform data transmission, the resource allocation information indicates the UE 224 to use the third type of time-frequency resource to transmit uplink data.

[0042] Therefore, by allocating time-frequency resource according to above method, at any time in the first time period, both CCU using the first RAT to perform data transmission and CCU using the second RAT to perform data transmission are able to compete to use the first type of time-frequency resource to perform data transmission. In time domain, the time of the time-frequency resource being allocated for each RAT in the cell center is extended. As long as the throughput rate in the cell center is controlled above a threshold, the system throughput capacity in the cell center is improved.

[0043] For example, the time-frequency resource is exclusively allocated to the first RAT and the second RAT alternately in a time-division manner in the prior art. Among a certain time period t, the time-frequency resource is exclusively allocated to the first RAT in a time period tl, and is exclusively allocated to the second RAT in a time period t2, where t=tl+t2. For illustrative purpose, suppose the first RAT has a throughput rate Rl and the second RAT has a throughput rate R2 when the time-frequency resource is exclusively allocated to each of them. Therefore, in the prior art, the system throughput capacity in the cell center during the time period t is equal to Rl *tl+R2*t2.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present application, because of competition interference between the first RAT and the second RAT during the first time period, the throughput rate for the first RAT and the throughput rate for the second RAT may be slightly reduced to n 1 *R1 and η 2*R2, respectively, where n 1 and n 2 represent attenuation factors of the throughput rate for the first RAT and the second RAT, respectively. However, since both RATs shares the time-frequency resource in the time period t, the time allocated for each RAT is extended to t. Therefore, the system throughput capacity in the cell center during the time period t is enhanced to η 1 *R1 *t+ Ά 2*R2 *t, according to one embodiment of the present application. As long as the attenuation factors n 1 and n 2 are controlled to satisfy: n 1 *R1 + n 2*R2>Rl *tl/t+R2*t2/t,

the system throughput capacity in the cell center is improved.

[0045] For example, suppose R1=R2=R, the attenuation factors n 1 and n 2 should satisfy n 1 + n 2 >1. Thus, the system throughput capacity in the cell center during the time period t in the prior art is equal to R*t. The system throughput capacity in the cell center during the time period t according to one embodiment of the present invention is greater than R*t. Therefore, the system throughput capacity in the cell center is improved.

[0046] In the other hand, the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource are allocated to CEU using the first RAT to perform data transmission and CEU using the second RAT to perform data transmission, respectively. Therefore, the CEU is not subjected to strong interferences from other UE using a different RAT to perform data transmission, and accordingly, CEU's throughput rate and throughput capacity is improved in the cell edge. Therefore, the overall throughput capacity in the cell is improved.

[0047] Refer back to FIG. 2A, optionally, the apparatus 200 further includes a threshold controlling unit 202. The threshold controlling unit 202 is configured to set a threshold in the cell 222. The threshold is used to determine whether a UE in the cell 222, e.g., the UE 224, is a CCU or a CEU. In one instance, the threshold is represented in a form of signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). It is determined whether the UE 224 is a CCU or a CEU based on a comparison of the UE 224's SINR and the threshold. If the UE 224's SINR is above the threshold, the UE 224 is a CCU; if the UE 224's SINR is equal to or below the threshold, the UE 224 is a CEU. In another instance, the threshold is represented in a form of a distance from the UE 224 to the base station 220. It is determined whether the UE 224 is a CCU or a CEU based on a comparison of the distance from the UE 224 to the base station 220 and the threshold. If the distance is less than the threshold, the UE 224 is a CCU; if the distance is equal to or greater than the threshold, the UE 224 is a CEU.

[0048] Optionally, the apparatus 200 further includes a scheduling unit 208. The scheduling unit 208 is configured to perform scheduling to obtain load information in the cell 222. For example, the load information is obtained by performing downlink scheduling. The base station 220 sends a downlink reference signal such as a pilot signal to UEs in the cell 222. The UEs in the cell 222 measure values of SINR and report to the base station 220 channel quality indicator (CQI) as the load information based on the values of SINR. For another example, the load information is obtained by performing uplink scheduling. The base station measures SINR of an uplink reference signal sent by the UE, e.g., a sounding reference signal, to obtain the load information. In one instance, after the load information is obtained, when a timer expires, at least one of the configuring unit 204 and the threshold controlling unit 202 perform following operations. In another instance, when the timer hasn't expired and the load information indicates that a specific load in the cell 222 is higher than a preset level, an emergency operation is triggered to activate at least one of the configuring unit 204 and the threshold controlling unit 202 to perform following operations at once.

[0049] In one instance, the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, load of the second type of time-frequency resource, and load of the third type of time-frequency resource. The configuring unit 204 is configured to adjust, according to the load information, at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource. For example, the length of time period corresponding to a specific type of time-frequency resource can be adjusted to a longer length when the load information indicates the load of the specific type of time-frequency resource is higher than a first level, or adjusted to a shorter length when the load information indicates the load of the specific type of time-frequency resource is lower than a second level. Take CCU as a specific example, when the load information indicates that the load of the first type of time-frequency resource allocated to the CCU is higher than a first level, the length of the first time period can be adjusted from a first length to a second length longer than the first length. When the load information indicates that the load of the first type of time-frequency resource allocated to the CCU is lower than a second level, the length of the first time period can be adjusted from the first length to a third length shorter than the first length.

[0050] In another instance, the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, and load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource. The threshold controlling unit 202 is configured to adjust the threshold in the cell 222 according to the obtained load information. The threshold in the cell 222 is adjusted when the load information indicates the specific UE's load is higher than a first preset level, or lower than a second preset level. In one instance, the threshold includes a SINR threshold. If the UE 224's SINR is above the SINR threshold, the UE 224 is a CCU; if the UE 224's SINR is equal to or below the SINR threshold, the UE 224 is a CEU. When the load information indicates that the load of the first type of time-frequency resource is higher than a first preset level or the load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource is lower than a second preset level, the SINR threshold can be adjusted from a first value to a second value higher than the first value. In this way, some CCUs in the cell 222 whose SINR is higher than the first value but lower than the second value is changed to CEU to reduce the CCU load in the cell 222. When the load information indicates that the load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource is higher than a third preset level or the load of the first type of time-frequency resource is lower than a fourth preset level, the threshold can be adjusted from the first value to a third value lower than the first value. In this way, some CEUs in the cell 222 whose SINR is higher than the third value but lower than the first value is changed to CCU to reduce the CEU load in the cell 222.

[0051] In another instance, the threshold includes a distance threshold. If the distance from the UE 224 to the base station 220 is less than the distance threshold, the UE 224 is a CCU; if the distance is equal to or greater than the distance threshold, the UE 224 is a CEU. When the load information indicates that the load of the first type of time-frequency resource is higher than a first preset level or the load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource is lower than a second preset level, the distance threshold can be adjusted from a fourth value to a fifth value lower than the fourth value. In this way, some CCUs in the cell 222 whose distance to the base station 220 is higher than the fifth value but lower than the fourth value is changed to CEU, to reduce the CCU load in the cell 222. When the load information indicates that the load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource is higher than a third preset level or the load of the first type of time-frequency resource is lower than a fourth preset level, the distance threshold can be adjusted from the fourth value to a sixth value higher than the fourth value. In this way, some CEUs in the cell 222 whose distance to the base station 220 is higher than the fourth value but lower than the sixth value is changed to CCU, to reduce the CEU load in the cell 222.

[0052] Optionally, the apparatus 200 further includes a receiving unit 212 and a sending unit 210. The receiving unit 212 is configured to receive one or more requests from the base station 226. The sending unit 210 is configured to send a response to the base station 226 after the receiving unit 212 receives the one or more requests.

[0053] For example, the receiving unit 212 is configured to receive from the base station 226 a first request indicating the threshold in the cell 222 to be adjusted. The first request includes interference information indicating interference received by one or more CEUs in the cell 228. The threshold controlling unit 202 adjusts the threshold in the cell 222 after the first request is received by the receiving unit 212.

[0054] For a more specific example, when a CEU 230 in the cell 228 is subjected to interference from CEU in the 222 and the interference information indicates that the interference received by the CEU 230 and caused by the CEU in the cell 222 is higher than a preset level, the SINR threshold in the cell 222 is adjusted from a seventh value to a eighth value lower than the seventh value. In this way, some CEUs in the cell 222 whose SINR is higher than the eighth value but lower than the seventh value is changed to CCUs. Or, the distance threshold in the cell 222 is adjusted from a ninth value to a tenth value higher than the ninth value. In this way, some CEUs in the cell 222 whose distance to the base station 220 is higher than the ninth value but lower than the tenth value is changed to CCUs. Generally speaking, a CCU transmits data with a lower power than a CEU does. Thus, less CEU transmits data with a relatively high power in the cell 222, reducing interference to the CEU 230 in the cell 228. Furthermore, since the number of CEU in the cell 222 is reduced, service request in the cell 222 is accordingly reduced, thus further reducing interference to CEU in the cell 228. After the threshold controlling unit 202 adjusts the threshold in the cell 222, the sending unit 210 sends a response back to the base station 226.

[0055] Optionally, the receiving unit 212 is further configured to receive from the base station 226 a second request indicating the three types of time-frequency resource in the cell 222 to be re-configured. The second request includes time-frequency resource configuration information of the cell 228. The configuring unit 204 is configured to adjust the sequence among the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource in time domain after the second request in received by the receiving unit 212, so that at least one of a part of the second time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell and a part of the third time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell is staggered from a time period allocated to one or more CEUs in the second cell. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate an example of how the sequence of different types of time-frequency resource is adjusted in time domain.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 3 A, in the first period Tl and the second period T2, both the time-frequency resource in the cell 222 and the time-frequency resource in the cell 228 are allocated as shown in FIG. 3 A. Thus, CEU using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the cell 222 is subjected to interference from CEU using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the cell 228. CEU using the second RAT in the cell 222 is subjected to interference from CEU using the second RAT in the cell 228. After the second request including the time-frequency resource configuration information of the cell 228 is received, the sequence of multiple types of time-frequency resource in time domain is adjusted in the following periods. For example, in the following third period T3 and fourth period T4, in the cell 222, the sequence is adjusted so that the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource is before the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource, which is before the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource. Thus, the position of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource in the cell 222 is staggered from the counterpart in the cell 228, while the position of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource in the cell 222 is staggered from the counterpart in the cell 228. In this way, the interference between the CEU in the cell 222 and the CEU in the cell 228 is avoided.

[0057] In some situations, while the configuring unit 204 adjusts the sequence, the configuring unit 204 is further configured to adjust at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource. Instance of how to adjust the length of each time period has been described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for allocating time frequency resource in a frequency -band in a first cell, e.g., the cell 222. FIG. 4 is described in relation with FIG. 2A to FIG. 3B. There are one or more CCUs and one or more CEUs in the first cell, and the first cell belongs to a first base station, e.g., the base station 220, configured to perform data transmission using a first access technology (RAT) and data transmission using a second RAT. The method is performed by an apparatus. In one instance, the apparatus includes a base station, e.g., the base station 220 or the base station 226. In another instance, the apparatus includes a central control node, e.g., the central control node 242. The central control node may include but not limited to a SRC, a MS, a EMS, or a MME.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the method includes:

[0060] In S41, the apparatus configures at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency band. The three types of time-frequency resource includes a first type of time-frequency resource in a first time period, a second type of time-frequency resource in a second time period, and a third type of time-frequency resource in a third time period. In one instance, the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period appear in recurring cycles.

[0061] For example, S41 includes: the apparatus sets a length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, a length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource and a length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource. The apparatus may further set a sequence among the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource and the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource. [0062] In S42, the apparatus allocates the first type of time-frequency resource in the first time period to both one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell and one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell.

[0063] In S43, the apparatus allocates the second type of time-frequency resource in the second time period to one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell.

[0064] In S44, the apparatus allocates the third type of time-frequency resource in the third time period to one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell. It should be understood that the steps S42-S44 may be executed sequentially, concurrently, in parallel, simultaneously, and the like.

[0065] Therefore, in time domain, the time of the time-frequency resource being allocated for each RAT in the cell center is extended. As long as the throughput rate in the cell center is controlled above a threshold, the system throughput capacity in the cell center is improved. In the other hand, the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource are allocated to CEU using the first RAT to perform data transmission and CEU using the second RAT to perform data transmission, respectively. Therefore, the CEU is not subjected to strong interferences from other UE using a different RAT to perform data transmission, and accordingly, CEU's throughput rate and throughput capacity is improved in the cell edge. Therefore, the overall throughput capacity in the cell is improved.

[0066] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0067] In S40, the apparatus sets a threshold in the first cell. The threshold is used to determine whether a UE, e.g., the UE 224, is a CCU or a CEU. In one instance, the threshold is represented in a form of SINR. If the UE 224's SINR is above the threshold, the UE 224 is a CCU; if the UE 224's SINR is equal to or below the threshold, the UE 224 is a CEU. In another instance, the threshold is represented in a form of a distance from the UE 224 to the base station 220. If the distance is less than the threshold, the UE 224 is a CCU; if the distance is equal to or greater than the threshold, the UE 224 is a CEU.

[0068] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0069] In S45, the apparatus performs scheduling to obtain load information. In one instance, after the load information is obtained, when a timer expires, at least one of S451 and S461 is performed. In another instance, when the timer hasn't expired and the load information indicates that a specific load in the cell 222 is higher than a preset level, an emergency operation is triggered to activate at least one of S451 and S461 at once. [0070] When the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, load of the second type of time-frequency resource, and load of the third type of time-frequency resource, in S451, according to the load information, the apparatus may adjust at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource. For example, the length of time period corresponding to a specific type of time-frequency resource can be adjusted to a longer length when the load information indicates the load of the specific type of time-frequency resource is higher than a first level, or adjusted to a shorter length when the load information indicates the load of the specific type of time-frequency resource is lower than a second level.

[0071] When the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, and load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource, in S461, the apparatus may adjust the threshold in the first cell according to the load information. The threshold in the cell 222 is adjusted when the load information indicates the specific UE's load is higher than a first preset level, or lower than a second preset level.

[0072] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0073] In S46, the apparatus receives from a second base station, e.g., the base station 226, a first request indicating the threshold in the first cell to be adjusted. A second cell, e.g., the cell 228, belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell. The first request includes interference information indicating interference received by one or more CEUs in the second cell. Then, in S461, the apparatus adjusts the threshold in the first cell according to the load information. For example, when a CEU 230 in the cell 228 is subjected to interference from CEU in the 222 and the interference information indicates that the interference received by the CEU 230 and caused by the CEU in the cell 222 is higher than a preset level, the SINR threshold in the cell 222 is adjusted from a seventh value to a eighth value lower than the seventh value, or, the distance threshold in the cell 222 is adjusted from a ninth value to a tenth value higher than the ninth value. Therefore, some CEUs are changed to CCUs. Since a CCU transmits data with a lower power than a CEU does, less CEU transmits data with a relatively high power in the cell 222, reducing interference to the CEU 230 in the cell 228. Furthermore, since the number of CEUs in the cell 222 is reduced, service request in the cell 222 is accordingly reduced, thus further reducing interference to CEU in the cell 228.

[0074] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0075] In S47, the apparatus receives from the second base station a second request indicating the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell to be re-configured. The second request includes time-frequency resource configuration information of the second cell. Then, in S471, the apparatus may adjust the sequence among the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell after the second request is received, so that at least one of a part of the second time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell and a part of the third time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell is staggered from a time period allocated to one or more CEUs in the second cell. Therefore, the interference between the CEU in the cell 222 and the CEU in the cell 228 is avoided.

[0076] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0077] In S472, the apparatus further adjusts at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

[0078] It should be understood that not all steps in FIG. 4 are required, and the steps maybe executed sequentially, concurrently, in parallel, simultaneously, and the like.

[0079] It should be understood that the above description is only for illustrative purpose. The time-frequency resource can be configured to multiple types of time-frequency resource by different means or in a different form. As long as at least one type of time-frequency resource is allocated for at least one or more CCUs using a first RAT to perform data transmission and one or more CCUs using a second RAT to perform data transmission, and at least one type of time-frequency resource is allocated for CEU using each RAT to perform data transmission, respectively, it's under the scope of the present application.

[0080] In another embodiment, two types of time-frequency resources are configured based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency-band. The two types of time-frequency resources include a fourth type of time-frequency resource in a fourth time period, and a fifth type of time-frequency resource in a fifth time period. The fourth type of time-frequency resource in the fourth time period is allocated for UE using the first RAT to perform data transmission, and the fifth type of time-frequency resource in the fifth time period is allocated for UE using the second RAT to perform data transmission. This pattern is also applicable to the steps as described in FIG. 4 except from S40-S44, and will not be described in detail.

[0081] A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on the particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solution. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0082] It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus, and unit, reference may be made to a corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0083] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely exemplary. For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0084] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. A part of or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0085] In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0086] When the functions are implemented in a form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the present invention essentially, or the part contributing to the prior art, or a part of the technical solutions may be implemented in a form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer apparatus (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network apparatus, or the like) to perform all or a part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

[0087] The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementation manners of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for allocating time-frequency resource in a frequency -band in a first cell, wherein there are one or more cell-center user equipments (CCUs) and one or more cell-edge user equipments (CEUs) in the first cell, the first cell belongs to a first base station configured to perform data transmission using a first radio access technology (RAT) and data transmission using a second RAT, the method comprising:

configuring, by an apparatus, at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency-band, the three types of time-frequency resource comprises a first type of time-frequency resource in a first time period, a second type of time-frequency resource in a second time period, and a third type of time-frequency resource in a third time period;

allocating, by the apparatus, the first type of time-frequency resource in the first time period to both one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell and one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell;

allocating, by the apparatus, the second type of time-frequency resource in the second time period to one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell; and

allocating, by the apparatus, the third type of time-frequency resource in the third time period to one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein configuring at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency-band comprises: setting, by the apparatus, a length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, a length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource and a length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

performing, by the apparatus, scheduling to obtain load information, the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, load of the second type of time-frequency resource, and load of the third type of time-frequency resource;

adjusting, by the apparatus, according to the load information, at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

setting, by the apparatus, a threshold in the first cell, wherein the threshold is used to determine whether a user equipment (UE) is a CCU or a CEU.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

performing, by the apparatus, scheduling to obtain load information, the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, and load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource;

adjusting, by the apparatus, the threshold in the first cell according to the load information.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4 or 5, further comprising:

receiving, by the apparatus, from a second base station a first request indicating the threshold in the first cell to be adjusted, a second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell, the first request comprises interference information indicating interference received by one or more CEUs in the second cell;

adjusting, by the apparatus, the threshold in the first cell after the first request is received.

7. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, further comprising:

receiving, by the apparatus, from a second base station a second request indicating the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell to be re-configured, a second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell, the second request comprises time-frequency resource configuration information of the second cell;

adjusting, by the apparatus, a sequence among the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell after the second request is received, so that at least one of a part of the second time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell and a part of the third time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell is staggered from a time period allocated to one or more CEUs in the second cell.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

adjusting, by the apparatus, at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

9. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the apparatus comprises the first base station.

10. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the apparatus comprises a single radio access network (RAN) controller (SRC), a network management system (NMS), an element management system (EMS), or a mobility management entity (MME).

11. An apparatus for allocating time-frequency resource in a frequency -band in a first cell, wherein there are one or more cell-center user equipments (CCUs) and one or more cell-edge user equipments (CEUs) in the first cell, the first cell belongs to a first base station configured to perform data transmission using a first radio access technology (RAT) and data transmission using a second RAT, the apparatus comprising:

a configuring unit, configured to configure at least three types of time-frequency resource based on the time-frequency resource in the frequency-band, the three types of time-frequency resource comprises a first type of time-frequency resource in a first time period, a second type of time-frequency resource in a second time period, and a third type of time-frequency resource in a third time period; and

an allocating unit, configured to allocate the first type of time-frequency resource in the first time period to both one or more CCUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell and one or more CCUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell, to allocate the second type of time-frequency resource in the second time period to one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell, and to allocate the third type of time-frequency resource in the third time period to one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission with the first base station in the first cell.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the configuring unit is configured to set a length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, a length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource and a length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

a scheduling unit, configured to perform scheduling to obtain load information, the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, load of the second type of time-frequency resource, and load of the third type of time-frequency resource;

wherein the configuring unit is configured to adjust, according to the load information, at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, further comprising:

a threshold controlling unit, configured to set a threshold in the first cell, wherein the threshold is used to determine whether a user equipment (UE) is a CCU or a CEU.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a scheduling unit, configured to perform scheduling to obtain load information, the load information indicates load of the first type of time-frequency resource, and load of the second type of time-frequency resource and the third type of time-frequency resource;

wherein the threshold controlling unit is configured to adjust the threshold in the first cell according to the load information.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive from a second base station a first request indicating the threshold in the first cell to be adjusted, a second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell, the first request comprises interference information indicating interference received by one or more CEUs in the second cell;

wherein the threshold controlling unit is configured to adjust the threshold in the first cell after the first request is received by the receiving unit.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11-15, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to receive from a second base station a second request indicating the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell to be re-configured, a second cell belonging to the second base station is a neighboring cell of the first cell, the second request comprises time-frequency resource configuration information of the second cell;

wherein the configuring unit is configured to adjust a sequence among the three types of time-frequency resource in the first cell after the second request is received by the receiving unit, so that at least one of a part of the second time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the first RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell and a part of the third time period allocated to the one or more CEUs using the second RAT to perform data transmission in the first cell is staggered from a time period allocated to one or more CEUs in the second cell.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the configuring unit is further configured to adjust at least one of the length of the first time period corresponding to the first type of time-frequency resource, the length of the second time period corresponding to the second type of time-frequency resource, and the length of the third time period corresponding to the third type of time-frequency resource.

19. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11-18, wherein the apparatus comprises the first base station.

20. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11-18, wherein the apparatus comprises a single radio access network (RAN) controller (SRC), a network management system (NMS), an element management system (EMS), or a mobility management entity (MME).