Single Carrier Downlink Control Channel Resource Pooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE communication systems, the existing design of downlink control channels results in high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), leading to inefficient power amplifiers and increased energy consumption, which is exacerbated by the need to allocate sufficient resources for multiple user terminals in wide-area cellular scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a single carrier downlink technology that utilizes time and frequency division multiplexing between control channels, allowing for flexible allocation of resources and pre-coding schemes to maintain single carrier properties, thereby reducing PAPR and enhancing power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OFDMA-based downlink control channels are used, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but peak-to-average power ratio increases leading to power amplifier inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The downlink control channel resources are segmented into multiple control channel pools, where each pool is assigned to specific antenna ports. This segmentation allows single-carrier transmission within each pool while maintaining overall resource allocation flexibility across multiple pools, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control channel organization by creating multiple control channel pools associated with different antenna ports. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain single-carrier properties (low PAPR) within each pool while achieving OFDMA-like flexibility across the expanded resource space.
2Productivity
If more resources are allocated to PDCCH to serve multiple user terminals, then scheduling capability is improved, but resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where control channel resources are dynamically assigned to different user terminals based on actual scheduling needs. The network can flexibly allocate control channel elements within each pool to match the number of active users, avoiding static resource over-provisioning while maintaining high scheduling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each control channel pool serves multiple functions by supporting both control information transmission and implicit resource allocation. The same control channel resources are used universally across different antenna ports and user terminals, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining scheduling capability.
3Loss of energy
If single carrier transmission is implemented for downlink control channels, then power efficiency is improved, but resource allocation flexibility for multiple users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting control channel resources into multiple pools associated with different antenna ports, the patent enables single-carrier transmission within each pool (maintaining power efficiency) while providing flexible resource allocation across the segmented structure (restoring adaptability).
Solution Approach 2:
The control channel pools act as intermediaries between single-carrier transmission and multi-user resource allocation. Each pool maintains single-carrier properties for power efficiency, while the collection of pools provides the flexibility needed for multi-user scheduling through coordinated resource assignment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided comprising selecting (301), in a network node, a downlink control channel scheme comprising at least two control channel pools within predefined control symbols. The network node applies (302) time division multiplexing between different control channels and/or related control channel building blocks within each control channel pool. The network node applies (302) frequency division multiplexing between different control channels. The network node allocates (303) control channel resources for at least one control channel based on a control channel type and/or aggregation level.