Dynamic TDD Terminal UL-DL Configuration Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE communication systems face inefficiencies in resource allocation and interference management, particularly in dynamic TDD environments, where flexible subframe configurations and HARQ timing are not adequately addressed, leading to suboptimal communication performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a terminal device and communication method that employs advanced UL-DL configuration settings, including first and second UL-DL configurations, and transmission direction configurations, to dynamically manage subframes and resource allocation across multiple cells, enabling efficient communication by aligning uplink and downlink transmissions with specific HARQ timing and resource allocation strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible subframe configurations are implemented for traffic adaptation in dynamic TDD, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but HARQ timing coordination and interference management become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidHARQ timing coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic TDD by allowing subframes to be flexibly configured as uplink or downlink based on traffic conditions. The UL-DL configuration can be changed dynamically through signaling between base stations, enabling the system to adapt resource allocation to varying traffic demands while maintaining manageable HARQ timing through coordinated configuration changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where base stations exchange signaling information about UL-DL configurations and HARQ timing requirements. This feedback loop allows the network to coordinate flexible subframe assignments across multiple cells, ensuring that traffic adaptation decisions at one base station do not create harmful interference or timing conflicts at neighboring base stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple UL-DL configurations are used for traffic adaptation, then traffic handling capability is improved, but interference management between cells becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic handling capabilityVSAvoidinterference between cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces signaling as an intermediary mechanism that coordinates UL-DL configurations between neighboring base stations. Through this intermediary communication, base stations can negotiate and align their flexible subframe assignments, ensuring that when one base station configures a subframe for uplink traffic, neighboring base stations are aware and can adjust their configurations to minimize cross-cell interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic TDD with flexible subframes is implemented, then system adaptability to traffic conditions is improved, but communication reliability may deteriorate due to timing uncertainties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem adaptability to trafficVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing predefined UL-DL configuration patterns and HARQ timing relationships before dynamic changes occur. When traffic conditions require reconfiguration, the system transitions between predefined configurations rather than creating ad-hoc timing arrangements, ensuring that HARQ processes always have established timing references for reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3099127B1User device, base-station device, integrated circuit, and communication method
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 SHARP KK
  • EP3099127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3099127B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3099127B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided user equipment which includes a reception unit. The reception unit receives first information to third information, plural pieces of fourth information, and fifth information. Each of the plural pieces of fourth information indicates an uplink-downlink configuration which is transmitted in the physical downlink control channel with the RNTI. The fifth information is used for determining an index of fourth information for a serving cell among the plural pieces of fourth information. In a case where the fifth information is configured for any of activated serving cells, the reception unit monitors the physical downlink control channel with the RNTI, in a common search space for a primary cell, in the subframe for monitoring the physical downlink control channel with the RNTI. In a case where the physical downlink control channel with the RNTI is detected in a radio frame {m·T/10, m·T/10+1,...,(m+1)·T/10-1}, an uplink-downlink configuration for the radio frame {(m+1)·T/10, (m+1)·T/10+1, ...,(m+2)·T/10-1} in the serving cell is given by fourth information for the serving cell.