Carrier Aggregation Feedback for TDD Configurations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE-A systems face challenges in efficiently aggregating carriers with different TDD uplink/downlink configurations, leading to interference and limitations in ACK/NACK feedback transmission, especially when multiple carriers are aggregated, as existing methods cannot effectively handle diverse TDD configurations and spatial bundling requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for aggregating carriers using PUCCH format 1b with channel selection, where the number of sub-frames for ACK/NACK feedback is determined from the largest TDD uplink/downlink configuration, allowing for Q*M bits of feedback information generation and mapping, and channel resources are selected based on this configuration to ensure accurate and efficient feedback transmission across different TDD and FDD carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carriers with different TDD uplink/downlink configurations are aggregated, then system bandwidth and data rate are improved, but interference between TDD systems at adjacent frequencies occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments carriers into different TDD uplink/downlink configurations (Configuration 1 and Configuration 2), allowing each carrier to operate with its own timing structure. This segmentation enables carriers to be aggregated while maintaining different uplink/downlink patterns, achieving high data rates without TDD interference between adjacent frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple carriers with different TDD configurations are aggregated, then system capacity is improved, but ACK/NACK feedback transmission becomes complex and difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidfeedback transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal PUCCH feedback mechanism that works across carriers with different TDD configurations. By using PUCCH format 1b with channel selection, the system provides a multi-functional feedback solution that handles ACK/NACK transmission uniformly regardless of which TDD configuration (1 or 2) each carrier uses, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high system capacity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism that translates feedback requirements from multiple carriers with different TDD configurations into a unified PUCCH feedback structure. This intermediary layer (the feedback mapping and channel selection mechanism) mediates between the diverse carrier configurations and the single PUCCH resource, simplifying the overall feedback transmission process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If PUCCH format 1b with channel selection is used for feedback, then feedback transmission efficiency is improved, but the number of sub-frames for ACK/NACK feedback increases making resource allocation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback transmission efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of sub-frames for feedback
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges ACK/NACK feedback from multiple sub-frames into a single PUCCH transmission using format 1b with channel selection. By combining feedback information across multiple sub-frames (M sub-frames) into one consolidated feedback message, the system improves transmission efficiency while managing the quantity of feedback sub-frames through the channel selection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2846488B1Carrier aggregation feedback method, device and system for different TDD uplink/downlink configurations
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 CHINA ACAD OF TELECOMM TECH
  • EP2846488B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2846488B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2846488B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed are a carrier aggregation feedback method, device and system for different TDD uplink/downlink configurations, relating to communication technologies. The number M of subframes requiring ACK/NACK feedback in a current uplink subframe is determined according to a TDD uplink/downlink configuration that corresponds to each carrier and is used for determining a timing relationship based on which a UE reports ACK/NACK feedback information of the carrier, and then ACK/NACK feedback information transmitted by a terminal device in the current uplink subframe and a candidate channel resource used for channel selection are determined according to the value of M, so as to transmit the ACK/NACK feedback information in the candidate channel resource by using PUCCH format 1b in combination with channel selection.