Dynamic Uplink Carrier Selection in Wireless Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, such as LTE, face challenges in improving communication performance due to limitations in frequency band deployment and processing, necessitating more flexible and efficient use of multiple uplink carriers for enhanced performance.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication method where a network device determines and indicates to a terminal device which uplink carrier to use for transmission, allowing for flexible selection and configuration of uplink carriers, including activation, configuration, and power adjustment, to improve communication performance by dynamically scheduling and switching between carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed uplink carrier and fixed downlink carrier are used in LTE system, then system simplicity is maintained, but communication performance cannot be improved sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidcarrier configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic carrier indication mechanisms where the network device can flexibly indicate different uplink carriers for different terminal devices or different transmission scenarios. This allows the system to adapt carrier selection dynamically rather than using fixed carrier assignments, thereby improving communication performance while managing complexity through standardized indication procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of carrier selection from fixed to variable by introducing indication information that specifies which uplink carrier should be used. This parameter change enables the system to optimize communication performance by selecting appropriate carriers based on current network conditions, terminal capabilities, and service requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple uplink carriers are deployed for terminal device, then uplink transmission flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission flexibilityVSAvoidcarrier management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink carrier selection process into distinct components: carrier configuration by the network device, carrier indication through specific signaling, and carrier execution by the terminal device. This segmentation allows multiple carriers to be managed systematically, improving uplink transmission flexibility while controlling complexity through divided responsibilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces indication information as an intermediary mechanism between the network device and terminal device for carrier selection. This intermediary carries the carrier selection decision from the network to the terminal, enabling flexible multi-carrier operation without requiring complex direct negotiation or configuration between devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If network device provides carrier indication to terminal device, then uplink transmission adaptability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission adaptabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the indication information to serve multiple functions: it identifies the uplink carrier, implies transmission parameters, and coordinates network-terminal actions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling for each parameter, thereby improving uplink transmission adaptability while minimizing signaling overhead through consolidated indication

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

Data Source

PatentEP3681200B1Wireless communication method, network device and terminal device
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3681200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3681200B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3681200B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a wireless communication method and a device, to improve communication performance in terms of frequency band deployment, use, and processing. The method includes: determining, by a network device, a first uplink carrier, where the first uplink carrier is one of a plurality of uplink carriers that can be used for a terminal device; and sending, by the network device, first information to the terminal device, where the first information indicates that the terminal device uses or can use the first uplink carrier to perform uplink transmission or processes the first uplink carrier.