Carrier Aggregation Group Configuration for Dual Connectivity Uplink Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dual connectivity wireless communication systems, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing and configuring carrier aggregation groups (CAGs) for flexible uplink control channel transmission, particularly in environments with varying time delays between network nodes, which can lead to inefficient PUCCH transmission.

Innovation Solution

A communication method and apparatus that configure multiple CAGs, allowing flexible transmission of the uplink control channel by designating a control cell within each CAG, enabling dynamic and efficient HARQ timing adjustments based on received configuration and activation information, and utilizing separate messages or combined messages for control cell configuration and activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple carrier aggregation groups (CAGs) are configured in dual connectivity, then the flexibility and efficiency of uplink control channel transmission is improved, but the device complexity and configuration management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of uplink control channel transmissionVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the carrier aggregation into multiple independent groups (CAGs), where each group can be independently configured and managed. This allows the system to handle complex dual connectivity scenarios by dividing the overall configuration into smaller, manageable units, each with its own control cell and HARQ timing parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities where control cells can be activated or deactivated based on current network conditions. The HARQ timing can be dynamically adjusted for different CAGs, allowing the system to adapt to varying time delays between network nodes while managing complexity through on-demand configuration rather than static rigid structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If HARQ timing is dynamically adjusted for different CAGs, then the reliability and performance of uplink control channel transmission is improved, but the configuration information complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ transmission reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration information complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring HARQ timing parameters specifically for each CAG based on its unique characteristics and time delay conditions. Instead of using a uniform timing approach, each CAG receives customized timing configuration that optimizes HARQ performance for its specific network conditions, thereby improving reliability without requiring system-wide complex processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing dynamic adjustment of HARQ timing parameters for different CAGs. The system can modify timing parameters such as HARQ acknowledgment timing and retransmission scheduling based on the specific time delay characteristics of each CAG, optimizing performance while managing complexity through parameterization rather than complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If control cell configuration and activation are handled through separate messages, then the precision and reliability of configuration is improved, but the signaling overhead and message processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidmessage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the configuration process into separate phases: first configuring the control cell parameters, then separately handling activation. This segmentation allows for precise configuration of all control cell parameters before activation, ensuring accuracy while managing processing complexity by dividing the message handling into distinct, manageable steps rather than requiring a single complex message.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3125459B1Communication method for dual connectivity and apparatus using same
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3125459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3125459B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3125459B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication method in a wireless communication system comprises: configuring a plurality of carrier aggregation groups (CAGs) by a wireless device; and receiving, through a first cell, configuration information about a control cell in which transmission of an uplink (UL) control channel is allowed. The plurality of CAGs comprises at least one cell, and one of the plurality of CAGs comprises the first cell.