Carrier Aggregation in Heterogeneous Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication systems face challenges in enabling carrier aggregation between macrocells and small cells, particularly in heterogeneous networks with different duplex modes (FDD and TDD), which affects communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for performing carrier aggregation by designating a Primary Cell (Pcell) and Secondary Cell (Scell) in user equipment and base stations, allowing transmission and reception in multiple base stations across different duplex modes, prioritizing one base station over another, and using specific channels for control and data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carrier aggregation is performed between macrocells and small cells in heterogeneous networks with different duplex modes, then communication efficiency and data transmission rates are improved, but system complexity and difficulty of coordination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heterogeneous network into distinct FDD and TDD carrier groups, each managed independently with separate Pcell configurations. This segmentation allows carrier aggregation to proceed by treating FDD and TDD carriers as separate aggregation sets, reducing the coordination complexity while maintaining the ability to aggregate carriers across different duplex modes for improved communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of Pcell designation specifically for Scell groups in carrier aggregation. By designating a Pcell within the Scell group that can provide control channels for both FDD and TDD carriers, the system adds a hierarchical layer of control that manages the complexity of cross-duplex-mode aggregation while enabling improved productivity through broader carrier aggregation capabilities.
2Productivity
If carrier aggregation is performed between macrocells and small cells, then data transmission rates are improved, but network configuration and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration by designating a Pcell within the Scell group before actual carrier aggregation operations begin. This Pcell is pre-configured to provide control channels for both FDD and TDD carriers, establishing a ready-made control structure that simplifies subsequent network operations and reduces configuration difficulty while enabling high data transmission rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The designated Pcell in the Scell group serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides control channels for both FDD and TDD carriers, acts as a reference for uplink-downlink synchronization, and enables carrier aggregation across different duplex modes. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate control structures needed, simplifying network configuration while maintaining high productivity.
3Productivity
If joint operation and carrier aggregation are performed in multiple base stations with different duplex modes, then communication efficiency is improved, but coordination and synchronization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator Pcell within the Scell group that acts as an intermediary between FDD and TDD base stations. This Pcell provides the physical uplink control channel and downlink shared channel that coordinate transmissions across different duplex modes, enabling efficient joint operation while reducing direct coordination complexity between heterogeneous base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions for both FDD and TDD carriers into a single designated Pcell within the Scell group. By combining these control functions, the system reduces the number of separate control mechanisms needed, simplifying synchronization and coordination between multiple base stations operating in different duplex modes while maintaining improved communication efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling carrier aggregation. In the method, a terminal performs carrier aggregation from a first base station so that a Pcell, which is one carrier from among carriers controlled by the first base station, is used for setting another carrier to be an Scell. The terminal performs carrier aggregation from a second base station so that one carrier having the function of the Pcell from among carriers controlled by the second base station, is used for setting another carrier to be an Scell. The terminal transceiver a downlink channel and an uplink channels with the first base station and the second base station, according to settings of the Pcell and the Scell of each of the first base station and the second base station.