A/N Timing Coordination in Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In carrier aggregation environments, determining the timing for transmitting response information when two component carriers have different TDD configurations is challenging, particularly in inter-band scenarios where TDD configurations for different bands may conflict, affecting data reception and transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for user equipment and transmission/reception points to determine the timing for transmitting acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (A/N) messages by using a reference TDD configuration with the greatest number of uplink subframes, ensuring compatibility and efficiency across different TDD UL-DL configurations for both primary and secondary cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If different TDD configurations are used for different component carriers in inter-band carrier aggregation, then data transmission capacity is improved, but timing conflict for response information transmission occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference TDD configuration as an intermediary to resolve timing conflicts between different component carriers. The reference configuration serves as a mediator that both the primary and secondary cells use to determine their respective response information transmission timings, thereby coordinating timing across carriers with different TDD configurations without compromising data transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the TDD configuration into two independent parts: the actual TDD configuration used for data transmission (which can differ between carriers to maximize capacity) and the reference TDD configuration used for timing coordination (which is standardized). This segmentation allows each carrier to optimize its data transmission while maintaining synchronized response information timing through the reference configuration
2Productivity
If TDD configurations are optimized for each component carrier, then spectral efficiency is improved, but compatibility between carriers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reference TDD configuration serves multiple functions: it acts as the timing reference for both primary and secondary cells, enables compatibility between carriers with different TDD configurations, and allows standardized response information transmission. This universal reference configuration maintains carrier compatibility while each carrier can still use its optimized TDD configuration for data transmission
3Reliability
If response information transmission timing is aligned with uplink subframes, then transmission reliability is improved, but timing flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for timing determination from the actual TDD configuration to the reference TDD configuration. This parameter change ensures that response information is always transmitted in uplink subframes (maintaining reliability) while the reference configuration provides a standardized timing framework that works across different carrier configurations (maintaining flexibility and compatibility)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system that includes a transmission/reception point and a user equipment having different configurations in inter-band and performs a TDD (Time Division Duplex) method.