ACK/NACK Resource Allocation for E-PDCCH Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE systems face limitations in allocating ACK/NACK resources, leading to potential collisions between terminals using E-PDCCH and PDCCH control information, which can result in inefficient use of PUSCH band and reduced uplink throughput.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a radio communication terminal and base station dynamically allocate ACK/NACK resources using an enhanced physical downlink control channel, allowing terminals to select between dynamic ACK/NACK resources or pre-specified resources based on an ACK/NACK indicator, ensuring no collisions and optimizing resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ACK/NACK resources are dynamically allocated to terminals using E-PDCCH, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but collisions with PDCCH terminal resources occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveACK/NACK resource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcollision probability between terminals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The PUCCH resource space is segmented into two distinct sets: one set for PDCCH terminals and another set for E-PDCCH terminals. This segmentation is achieved by configuring different nPUCCH_OFFSET values for the two terminal types, which shifts the resource indices into non-overlapping ranges. By dividing the resource space, the patent eliminates collisions between terminals while maintaining high utilization efficiency within each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If ACK/NACK resources are pre-specified for E-PDCCH terminals, then collisions are avoided, but PUSCH band is unnecessarily reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision probability between terminalsVSAvoidPUSCH band width

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation for E-PDCCH terminals by configuring multiple PUCCH resource sets with different nPUCCH_OFFSET values. The base station can dynamically select which resource set to use based on current system conditions, terminal requirements, and available resources. This dynamic approach allows the PUSCH band to be optimized while still providing dedicated ACK/NACK resources for E-PDCCH terminals, avoiding the need for permanent resource reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11683131B2Wireless communications terminal, base station device, and resource allocation method

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 SUN PATENT TRUST

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to avoid ACK/NACK collision in a system in which E-PDCCH control information is transmitted, increase the utilization efficiency of ACK/NACK resources, and suppress unnecessary PUSCH band reduction. A wireless communications terminal having a configuration comprising: a reception unit that receives control signals including ACK/NACK indexes, via an expanded physical downlink control channel; a control unit that determines, on the basis of the ACK/NACK indexes, whether to use a dynamically allocated dynamic ACK/NACK resource or a specified resource specified beforehand, to send downlink data ACK/NACK signals; and a transmission unit that sends the ACK/NACK signals using the dynamic ACK/NACK resource or the specified resource, as determined.