Dual-Carrier Uplink Feedback via Segmented PUCCH Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently providing feedback information across multiple uplink carriers in cellular networks, particularly in scenarios involving dual carrier configurations, which can lead to suboptimal performance and resource management.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing feedback information, including channel quality indicators (CQI) and ACK/NACK signals, on an uplink channel across a subset of uplink carriers, with the anchor carrier operating at a 10 ms transmission time interval and the secondary carrier at a 2 ms interval, allowing for dynamic release of the secondary carrier based on quality metrics and utilizing a compressed mode for efficient resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If feedback information is provided on all uplink carriers, then reliability of feedback transmission is improved, but device complexity and resource overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback transmission by designating specific carriers as PUCCH carriers that are responsible for carrying feedback information, while other carriers focus on data transmission. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing the feedback function to dedicated carriers rather than requiring all carriers to handle both data and feedback, thus maintaining reliability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The PUCCH carrier serves multiple functions: it carries both uplink data and feedback information (ACK/NACK, CQI, PMI). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating feedback transmission responsibilities onto a carrier that is already dedicated for control purposes, eliminating the need for separate feedback channels on every carrier and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple uplink carriers are used for feedback transmission, then feedback reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier roles by designating specific carriers as PUCCH carriers dedicated for feedback transmission, while other carriers are optimized for data transmission. This segmentation improves resource utilization efficiency by preventing feedback information from competing for resources with data transmission on the same carriers, while still ensuring reliable feedback delivery through dedicated control carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The PUCCH carrier acts as an intermediary that专门 handles feedback information transmission. By introducing this specialized intermediary carrier, the system achieves reliable feedback delivery without requiring all data carriers to participate in feedback transmission, thereby optimizing overall resource utilization efficiency while maintaining feedback reliability.
3Productivity
If secondary carrier is released based on quality metrics, then resource efficiency is improved, but feedback information loss may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a mechanism where feedback information is buffered and prepared for transmission before the secondary carrier is released. The system monitors quality metrics and triggers carrier release only after ensuring that feedback information has been successfully transmitted or is ready for transmission on alternative carriers, thus preventing feedback information loss while improving resource efficiency through timely carrier release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining feedback information buffers and alternative transmission paths before secondary carrier release occurs. This cushioning mechanism ensures that even if the secondary carrier is released due to quality degradation, feedback information continuity is maintained through buffering and potential retransmission on primary carriers, thus resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which a plurality of uplink carriers are utilized in a cellular communications system. In an aspect of the disclosure, a wireless terminal configured for use in a cellular network transmits an uplink with a plurality of uplink carriers including an anchor carrier and a secondary carrier, and receives a downlink with a plurality of downlink carriers. Here, the wireless terminal provides feedback information, such as a channel quality indicator and an acknowledgment, corresponding to the plurality of downlink carriers, on an uplink channel on each of respective carriers in a subset of the plurality of uplink carriers.