Carrier Aggregation Signal Transmission with Dynamic UL-DL Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems supporting carrier aggregation, there is a challenge in efficiently managing signal transmission and reception due to interference from different communication directions between cells, leading to inefficient use of resources, especially in scenarios where simultaneous transmission and reception are not possible.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves specific schemes for managing radio resources by altering the configuration of primary and secondary cells, such as changing the roles of PCell and SCell, using predefined signaling to limit resource usage and avoid interference, and employing indicators for scheduling uplink signal transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carrier aggregation is implemented to increase service availability and bandwidth utilization, then system capacity and data transmission rate are improved, but interference between cells with different uplink-downlink configurations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidinterference between cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different uplink-downlink patterns for different component carriers (cells) in the carrier aggregation system. Each cell can have customized UL-DL configurations adapted to its local traffic conditions and interference environment, allowing the system to maintain high productivity while managing interference through localized optimization rather than uniform configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling flexible and dynamic switching between different uplink-downlink configurations for TDD component carriers. The system can adaptively change UL-DL patterns based on real-time traffic load variations and interference conditions, allowing carrier aggregation to maintain high system capacity while dynamically adjusting to minimize inter-cell interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If simultaneous transmission and reception are enabled in all cells to maximize resource utilization, then productivity increases, but interference between different communication directions causes reliability degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different cells to operate with different uplink-downlink configurations tailored to their specific traffic conditions. This enables each cell to optimize its resource utilization locally while avoiding simultaneous transmission-reception conflicts that would degrade reliability, as each cell's configuration is adapted to its local environment rather than forcing uniform simultaneous operation across all cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics through flexible UL-DL configuration switching that allows the system to adaptively adjust transmission and reception timing based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maximize resource utilization when conditions permit while avoiding interference-induced reliability degradation when simultaneous transmission-reception would be problematic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If fixed uplink-downlink configurations are assigned to all cells to simplify system management, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different traffic conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem management complexityVSAvoidadaptability to traffic conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling flexible switching between different uplink-downlink configurations for TDD component carriers in the carrier aggregation system. This allows the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions and interference patterns across different cells and time periods, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized configuration options and switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If resource allocation is optimized for each cell independently to maximize local efficiency, then productivity increases, but coordination between cells becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling independent optimization of uplink-downlink configurations for each component carrier based on its local traffic conditions and interference environment. This allows each cell to maximize its local efficiency with customized UL-DL patterns while the overall system maintains coordination through the standardized carrier aggregation framework and flexible configuration switching capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3190738B1Signal transmission and reception method in wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation, and device for same
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3190738B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3190738B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3190738B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a signal transmission and reception method and device using a plurality of cells of a terminal in a wireless communication system supporting a carrier aggregation. Particularly, the signal transmission and reception method comprises the steps of: receiving transmission control information for a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary cell (SCell) according to uplink-downlink configuration difference from each other, transmitting and receiving a signal in a specific time period according to the transmission control information; and performing a signal transmission and reception operation according to a pre-defined configuration when a signal transmission in a specific time period is not indicated in the transmission control information.