Cross-Carrier Feedback With Dynamic PUCCH Spectrum Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face inefficiencies in utilizing underutilized uplink resources for providing uplink feedback, particularly in scenarios where uplink resources are less utilized than downlink resources, due to limitations in current 3GPP standards regarding carrier aggregation and supplementary uplink configurations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cross-spectrum feedback techniques that allow the use of underutilized uplink resources in a first spectrum for providing uplink feedback related to downlink transmissions on a different spectrum, by configuring a single physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) on one of the spectrums and using contention-free random access (CFRA) or piggybacking uplink control information (UCI) on PUSCH resources to overcome limitations in current standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single PUCCH is configured on one spectrum and cannot be switched between spectrums, then device complexity is reduced and configuration is simplified, but uplink feedback transmission flexibility is limited when dealing with cross-spectrum carrier aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spectrum indicator field in DCI as an intermediary mechanism. This field acts as a mediator that directs the UE to select the appropriate spectrum for PUCCH transmission without requiring multiple PUCCH configurations or complex switching logic. The spectrum indicator seamlessly connects the downlink carrier reception with the appropriate uplink feedback transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic spectrum selection for PUCCH transmission by allowing the network to indicate via DCI which spectrum should be used for feedback transmission. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to different carrier aggregation configurations and traffic conditions without requiring static pre-configuration of multiple PUCCH resources, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving transmission flexibility.
2Productivity
If underutilized uplink resources on one spectrum are used for feedback of downlink transmissions on another spectrum, then spectrum resource utilization is improved, but interference between different spectrums may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network receives uplink feedback on one spectrum and uses spectrum indicator information to associate this feedback with the correct downlink carrier on another spectrum. This feedback loop enables efficient cross-spectrum resource utilization while maintaining clear association between downlink transmissions and uplink feedback, preventing interference issues through proper resource mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectrum indicator field serves as an intermediary that properly associates uplink feedback resources on one spectrum with downlink transmission resources on another spectrum. This mediator ensures that cross-spectrum feedback does not cause interference by maintaining clear resource mapping relationships and preventing resource conflicts between different spectrum pairs.
3Productivity
If cross-spectrum feedback is implemented using DCI with spectrum indicator, then uplink feedback efficiency is improved, but downlink control overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the spectrum indicator field in DCI a multi-functional element. It not only indicates the spectrum for PUCCH transmission but also serves as part of the standard DCI structure for carrier indication. This universal approach allows the same DCI mechanism to handle both single-spectrum and cross-spectrum scenarios, improving feedback efficiency without significantly increasing control overhead as the field can be integrated into existing DCI formats.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for cross-carrier feedback.