Dynamic UCI Codebook Determination in Carrier Aggregation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of LTE carrier aggregation, especially in the eCA scenario with up to 32 aggregated carriers, the existing methods for determining HARQ-ACK/NACK information codebooks are inefficient, leading to increased data transmission load and performance issues in transmitting valid control information.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves the base station sending first indication information to user equipment (UE) to dynamically determine uplink control information (UCI) based on the indication information. The base station allocates a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource to the UE for transmitting the UCI, allowing for flexible codebook determination according to scheduled carriers or codewords.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If semi-static method is used to determine HARQ-ACK/NACK codebook, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases due to padding useless bits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecodebook determination complexityVSAvoiduseless padding bits
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static codebook determination method to a dynamic one. The base station sends indication information that enables the UE to dynamically determine the codebook size and content based on actual scheduling scenarios. This allows the codebook to adapt to changing transmission conditions, eliminating the need for fixed padding and reducing information loss while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized dynamic procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If quantity of aggregated carriers is increased to 32, then adaptability is improved, but quantity of UCI information increases leading to increased data transmission load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier aggregation capabilityVSAvoidUCI information volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary UCI information for actual transmissions. By using dynamic codebook determination based on indication information from the base station, the system extracts and transmits only the relevant HARQ-ACK/NACK bits corresponding to actually scheduled carriers and codewords, rather than transmitting fixed-size codebooks that include padding for unscheduled carriers. This reduces the UCI information volume while maintaining adaptability to 32-carrier aggregation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If semi-static codebook determination is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases due to increased data transmission load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecodebook configuration simplicityVSAvoidUCI transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through indication information sent from the base station to the UE. This feedback mechanism provides the UE with guidance on how to determine the dynamic codebook, maintaining ease of operation through standardized procedures while significantly improving productivity. The indication information enables the system to adapt to actual transmission needs, reducing unnecessary data transmission load and improving UCI transmission efficiency compared to static methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3343987B1Method and device for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) in carrier aggregation
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3343987B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3343987B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3343987B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an uplink control information transmission method and apparatus in carrier aggregation. Abase station sends first indication information to user equipment UE, to instruct the UE to dynamically determine uplink control information UCI according to the first indication information, and the base station allocates a PUCCH resource to the UE to transmit the UCI. The embodiments of the present invention may be used to implement a feedback of the UCI information in a carrier aggregation scenario, thereby improving performance of transmitting valid UCI information.