Resource allocation method and system

A communication system, comprising a network infrastructure comprising:

• a transmitter configured to transmit signaling information to user terminals, the signaling information being related to the allocation of the plurality of sub-carriers at a common frequency band used for data transmission between the multiple user terminals and the network infrastructure;
• a processor configured to divide the common frequency band into two suppression bands at the edge zones of the common frequency band and to provide a safe band between the two suppression bands, the two suppression bands including sub-carriers having a predetermined amount of decreased channel estimation accuracy compared with the other sub-carriers of the common frequency band;
• and
• a processor configured to allocate signaling information, related to the allocation of at least one sub-carrier to a user terminal having an expected signal to interference-plus-noise ratio at a predetermined level, to at least one sub-carrier included in the safe band.

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code,
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to
• transmit signaling information to user terminals, the signaling information being related to the allocation of the plurality of sub-carriers at a common frequency band used for data transmission between the multiple user terminals and a network infrastructure,
• divide the common frequency band into two suppression bands at the edge zones of the common frequency band and to provide a safe band between the two suppression bands, the two suppression bands including sub-carriers having a predetermined amount of decreased channel estimation accuracy compared with the other sub-carriers of the common frequency band, and
• allocate signaling information, related to the allocation of at least one sub-carrier to a user terminal having an expected signal to interference-plus-noise ratio at a predetermined level, to at least one sub-carrier included in the safe band.

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor, and
• at least one memory including computer program code,
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to
• receive signaling information related to the allocation of a plurality of sub-carriers of a common frequency band, where the common frequency band is divided into two suppression bands at the edge zones of the common frequency band and a safe band is provided between the two suppression bands, the two suppression bands including sub-carriers having a predetermined amount of decreased channel estimation accuracy compared with the other sub-carriers of the common frequency band, and
• receive signaling information allocated to at least one sub-carrier included in the safe band when the user terminal has an expected signal to interference-plus-noise ratio at a predetermined level.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprise a computer program product, the computer program product being configured to control a processor to perform:

• sharing a common frequency band by multiple user terminals, the common frequency band including a plurality of sub-carriers;
• providing signaling information related to the allocation of the plurality of sub-carriers to the user terminals;
• dividing the common frequency band into two suppression bands at the edge zones of the common frequency band and providing a safe band between the two suppression bands, the two suppression bands including sub-carriers having a predetermined amount of decreased channel estimation accuracy compared with the other sub-carriers of the common frequency band;
• and
• processing signaling information, related to the allocation of at least one sub-carrier to a user terminal having an expected signal to interference-plus-noise ratio at a predetermined level, on at least one sub-carrier included in the safe band.

An apparatus, comprising:

• transmitting means for transmitting signaling information to user terminals, the signaling information being related to the allocation of the plurality of sub-carriers at a common frequency band used for data transmission between the multiple user terminals and a network infrastructure;
• processing means for dividing the common frequency band into two suppression bands at the edge zones of the common frequency band and for providing a safe band between the two suppression bands, the two suppression bands including sub-carriers having a predetermined amount of decreased channel estimation accuracy compared with the other sub-carriers of the common frequency band;
• and
• processing means for allocating signaling information, related to the allocation of at least one sub-carrier to a user terminal having an expected signal to interference-plus-noise ratio at a predetermined level, to at least one sub-carrier included in the safe band.