eNodeB Extension Carrier Configuration via Cross-Carrier Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE-Advanced systems do not support extension carriers, which are necessary for enhancing network efficiency and providing additional service coverage in environments where additional service coverage is warranted.
Innovation Solution
The configuration of an extension carrier within a wireless communications network is achieved by transmitting configuration information in downlink subframes of radio frames, using SystemInformationBlock (SIB) type information or radio resource control (RRC) dedicated signaling, allowing user equipment to connect to the extension carrier and improve network efficiency and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If extension carriers are introduced to enhance network efficiency and service coverage, then network performance and service coverage are improved, but system complexity increases because extension carriers lack physical layer control channels and signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control channel functions from the extension carrier and relocates them to the anchor carrier. The extension carrier is designed to lack physical layer control channels (PDCCH, PHICH, PCFICH) and signals (synchronization signals, reference signals), which are instead provided by the anchor carrier through cross-carrier scheduling and signaling mechanisms. This extraction allows the extension carrier to be simpler while still functioning effectively as part of the carrier aggregation system.
2Quantity of substance
If extension carriers without control channels are used to expand bandwidth, then bandwidth capacity increases, but reliability decreases due to missing control signals
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor carrier serves as an intermediary that provides the control channels and signals needed by the extension carrier. Through cross-carrier scheduling, the anchor carrier's control channels can schedule resources on the extension carrier, and synchronization signals from the anchor carrier enable UEs to synchronize with the extension carrier. This intermediary relationship allows the extension carrier to contribute to bandwidth capacity while maintaining reliability through the anchor carrier's control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing configuration information relating to an extension carrier within a wireless communications network is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, each enhanced node B (eNodeB) transmits the configuration information within the downlink subframes of at least one radio frame, wherein the configuration information is transmitted on the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) included in the radio frame. In another embodiment, each eNodeB transmits the configuration information within a radio resource control (RRC) signaling included in at least one radio frame to select ones of the user equipments (UEs) in response to the system load relative to the select UE's request.