Common Control Channel Resource Allocation with Dedicated Reference Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-A mobile communication systems, the control channel designed for LTE struggles with inter-cell interference and fails to meet performance requirements, especially in MU-MIMO transmission, necessitating a new control channel with a dedicated reference signal for efficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The method allocates resources for a common control channel with a dedicated reference signal, determining its location based on the control channel region indication channel of compatible carriers, even in incompatible carriers without additional signaling, allowing all UEs to receive the common control channel by mapping it to specific PRBs and slots, and utilizing dedicated reference signals for accurate channel demodulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a new control channel with dedicated reference signal is introduced, then control channel performance and capacity are improved, but device complexity and system configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel performanceVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the dedicated reference signal serve dual purposes: it functions as a reference signal for channel estimation and simultaneously indicates the resource location of the common control channel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate signaling mechanisms, thereby improving control channel performance while avoiding additional system complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The dedicated reference signal autonomously carries dual functionality without requiring external configuration or additional signaling. The signal structure itself encodes both channel estimation information and resource location information, enabling the system to self-configure without increased complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the common control channel is transmitted on incompatible carriers without additional signaling, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the control channel location increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol channel location detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The dedicated reference signal acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between resource allocation and detection. By embedding resource location information within the reference signal itself, the patent enables efficient resource allocation on incompatible carriers while maintaining straightforward detection through the signal's inherent structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the functional parameters of the dedicated reference signal to include resource location indication capability. This parameter change allows the same signal to convey multiple types of information, improving resource allocation efficiency without complicating the detection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2721891B1Method and apparatus for allocating resource of common control channel with dedicated reference signal
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2721891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2721891B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2721891B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for allocating resources of a common control channel includes determining a carrier type, allocating, when the carrier is backward compatible, resources for a Physical Control Format Indicator CHannel (PCFICH), and allocating resources for a common control channel with a dedicated reference signal based on a Physical Resource Block allocated for the PCFICH. A UE can receive the common control channel without extra signaling by mapping the common control channel to the frequency resource based on the cell-specific parameter or channel.