Component Carrier Activation via Bit-Mask Resource Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE systems face inefficiencies and errors in the activation and deactivation of downlink component carriers due to the need for simultaneous transmission of multiple PDCCHs, leading to potential errors and increased signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
A new uplink and downlink resource assignment format using a bit-mask to indicate the activation or deactivation of downlink component carriers, allowing simultaneous resource assignment and activation/deactivation, with optional channel quality measurement or scheduling information as acknowledgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple PDCCHs are transmitted simultaneously to activate and assign resources for downlink component carriers, then resource assignment and activation can be performed, but signaling overhead increases and potential errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple PDCCH functions (activation/deactivation indication and resource assignment) into a single PDCCH transmission. The downlink resource assignment message integrates both the component carrier activation status and the resource allocation information, eliminating the need for separate PDCCH transmissions and reducing signaling overhead while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The downlink resource assignment message is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as both an activation/deactivation command for component carriers and a resource assignment message for data transmission. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate signaling messages required
2Productivity
If multiple PDCCHs are transmitted simultaneously for activation and resource assignment, then both functions can be achieved, but transmission errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging activation indication and resource assignment into a single PDCCH transmission, the patent reduces the number of transmission events required. This single transmission approach minimizes the probability of errors compared to multiple separate transmissions, while still achieving both activation and resource assignment functions
3Ease of operation
If separate PDCCHs are used for activation indication and resource assignment, then functions are clearly separated, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal downlink resource assignment message structure that can simultaneously convey activation/deactivation indications and resource assignment information. This multi-functional message design reduces signaling overhead while maintaining operational clarity through integrated functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method includes transmitting resource assignment information including bits that indicate activation or deactivation statuses of respective downlink component carriers, which are secondary downlink component carriers added to a primary component carrier which is always activated, each of the downlink component carriers corresponding to one bit included in bits, and the one bit indicating that a corresponding downlink component carrier is to be activated or deactivated. When any one bit of the bits indicates that its corresponding downlink component carrier is to be activated, the bits jointly indicate the activation or deactivation statuses, a sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission request and a channel quality information (CQI) reporting request. The method also includes receiving a SRS and a CQI that are transmitted, in response to the SRS transmission request and the CQI reporting request, on an uplink component carrier linked to an activated downlink component carrier(s).