Terminal Device CSI Process Grouping for Carrier Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing radio communication systems, particularly in LTE, lack a concrete method for efficiently transmitting uplink control information, which is crucial for effective channel state management and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a terminal device and base station device configuration that includes transmitting and receiving capability information and channel state information (CSI) in specific subframes, indicating the number of CSI processes supported in multiple serving cells and one serving cell, to efficiently manage uplink control resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If carrier aggregation is extended to support more than five serving cells, then the coverage area and system capacity are improved, but the complexity of managing CSI processes and uplink control information increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier aggregation capabilityVSAvoidCSI process management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large number of CSI processes into multiple CSI process groups. Each group is managed independently with separate reporting configurations, allowing the system to handle more than five serving cells by dividing the control overhead into manageable segments rather than managing all CSI processes as a single complex entity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by grouping CSI processes into multiple groups with different reporting configurations. This dimensional approach allows simultaneous management of multiple CSI process groups with different periodicities and resources, effectively handling extended carrier aggregation beyond five serving cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple CSI processes are configured for carrier aggregation, then the channel state information accuracy is improved, but the uplink control resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel state information accuracyVSAvoiduplink control resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides multiple CSI processes into separate CSI process groups, where each group can be reported using different uplink resources and configurations. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of uplink control resources by grouping related CSI processes together rather than requiring separate resources for each individual CSI process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables a single uplink control resource to serve multiple CSI processes within a group. By configuring CSI process groups with shared reporting resources, the system achieves multi-functionality where one resource handles multiple CSI reporting tasks, reducing the total quantity of uplink control resources needed

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

3Productivity

If simultaneous transmission of HARQ-ACK and channel state information is enabled, then the uplink control efficiency is improved, but the interference and resource conflicts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink control efficiencyVSAvoidinterference and resource conflicts
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments CSI processes into groups that can be transmitted simultaneously with HARQ-ACK using different PUCCH resources or formats. This segmentation allows efficient simultaneous transmission by organizing CSI reports in manageable groups rather than attempting to transmit all CSI information at once, thereby reducing resource conflicts and interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3253109B1Terminal device, base station device, communication method, and integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 SHARP KK
  • EP3253109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3253109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3253109B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A terminal device includes a transmission unit configured to transmit capability information, and channel state information (CSI) in a certain subframe. The capability information includes information used to indicate the number of first CSI processes supported by the terminal device in multiple serving cells, and information used to indicate the number of second CSI processes supported by the terminal device in one serving cell.