Base Station Control Channel Frequency Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting control channels to terminals with varying bandwidths, as fixed resource allocation methods lead to suboptimal use of frequency resources and varying channel quality among terminals, especially when multiple antennas are used.

Innovation Solution

A base station employing frequency scheduling and multicarrier transmission methods to manage bandwidth allocation, generate and multiplex control channels, and adapt modulation and coding schemes based on channel state information, allowing flexible resource allocation and improved reception quality across different terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed resource allocation is used for control channels, then device complexity is reduced, but frequency use efficiency deteriorates when terminals have varying bandwidths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidfrequency use efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation for control channels based on terminal bandwidth requirements. The base station allocates control channel resources flexibly according to the actual bandwidth needs of each terminal, rather than using fixed allocation. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying terminal configurations and improves frequency use efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized allocation rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If control channels are allocated to match each terminal's bandwidth, then frequency use efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to varying allocation schemes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency use efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of control channel resource allocation from fixed to variable based on terminal bandwidth. By adjusting the allocation parameters dynamically according to terminal capabilities and channel conditions, the system achieves better frequency use efficiency. The complexity is managed through systematic parameter adjustment rules rather than arbitrary allocations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If frequency scheduling is performed for each terminal individually, then reception quality is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception qualityVSAvoidscheduling processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency scheduling process into manageable components. By dividing the scheduling into standardized resource allocation units and using template-based control channel assignments, the system can process multiple terminals efficiently. This segmentation allows for quality optimization while reducing overall processing time through parallelizable operations and standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If variable control channel formats are used for different terminals, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to format variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol channel format consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control channel framework that can accommodate different terminal bandwidths through standardized allocation rules. The same basic control channel format and procedures are used for all terminals, providing consistency. The adaptability is achieved through parameter adjustments within the universal framework rather than creating entirely different formats for each terminal type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2793410B1Base station, communication terminal, transmission method and reception method
Publication Date: 2015.12.09 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP2793410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2793410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2793410B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A base station includes: means configured to manage frequency blocks; means configured to determine, for each frequency block, scheduling information for assigning one or more resource blocks to a communication terminal being in a good channel state; means configured to generate a control channel including the scheduling information for each frequency block; and means configured to frequency multiplexing control channels within the system frequency band and to transmit it. In addition, the base station transmits the control channel by separating a non-specific control channel to be decoded by a non-specific communication terminal and a specific control channel to be decoded by a communication terminal to which one or more resource blocks are assigned.