Carrier Aggregation Grouping by Numerology in 5G

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variable subframe structures and numerologies in 5G wireless communication systems pose challenges for carrier aggregation (CA) and dual connectivity (DC), limiting efficient communication between user equipment and base stations.

Innovation Solution

The technique involves grouping component carriers based on their numerologies to reduce interference and manage control and data transmission effectively, allowing for communication using distinct CC groups with different symbol durations and numerologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If component carriers with different numerologies are aggregated in carrier aggregation, then spectral efficiency and communication flexibility are improved, but interference management and control complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments component carriers into different component carrier groups based on their numerology characteristics. Each group contains carriers with the same numerology, allowing independent control and management. This segmentation reduces control complexity by enabling group-based scheduling and resource allocation while still supporting diverse numerologies across different groups, thus maintaining spectral efficiency without excessive control overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If component carriers with different subframe structures are aggregated, then communication adaptability and service support are improved, but interference between carriers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication adaptabilityVSAvoidinterference between carriers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning specific subframe structures to different component carrier groups based on their numerology. Each group operates with its own optimized subframe configuration, allowing carriers within a group to have coordinated uplink-downlink patterns while carriers in different groups can have different patterns. This localized optimization reduces interference between carriers with different subframe structures while maintaining communication adaptability for diverse service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple component carrier groups with different numerologies are used, then service diversity and network flexibility are improved, but resource management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice diversityVSAvoidresource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the carrier aggregation into multiple component carrier groups where each group is managed independently with its own resource allocation schemes. This segmentation allows the system to support diverse services with different numerology requirements while simplifying resource management within each group. The network can apply group-specific scheduling, power control, and resource allocation strategies, reducing overall management complexity compared to managing all carriers uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic configuration of component carrier groups, where the network can flexibly assign carriers to different groups based on traffic demands, service requirements, and channel conditions. This dynamic grouping allows the system to adapt resource management strategies to current network states, improving service diversity support while keeping resource management complexity manageable through context-aware group formation and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3504916B1Carrier aggregation under different subframe structures
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3504916B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3504916B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3504916B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for wireless communication by a wireless communications device in a wireless network, for example, for enabling carrier aggregation (CA) and dual connectivity (DC) under different subframe structures in a 5G system. In certain cases, enabling CA and DC in a 5G system may involve configuring and grouping component carriers based on a numerology criteria associated with each component carrier. The grouped component carriers may then be used to communicate in the wireless network.