E-PDCCH DMRS Mapping for Wireless Control Channel Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE/LTE-Advanced, the existing control channel transmission methods face challenges in efficiently allocating resources for high-order diversity transmissions, leading to PDCCH resource shortages and interference issues due to frequent MU-MIMO transmissions and varying radio channel conditions.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of Enhanced Physical Data Control Channel (E-PDCCH) transmission, which maps control channels to the data region of a subframe, utilizing DMRS for beamforming and transmit diversity, and optimizing the association between E-PDCCH and DMRS ports to enhance resource utilization and minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If control channels are transmitted in the control region using legacy PDCCH, then transmission coverage is maintained, but resource shortage and interference occur due to frequent MU-MIMO transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel transmission capacityVSAvoidcontrol channel transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the control channel transmission from the traditional control region (first dimension: time-domain prefix) to the data region (second dimension: frequency-domain integration with PDSCH). This dimensional shift allows control channels to utilize resources previously dedicated to data transmission, thereby increasing transmission capacity while maintaining reliability through beamforming and transmit diversity in the new spatial dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple PDCCHs are transmitted for multiple UEs in MU-MIMO, then system throughput is enhanced, but PDCCH resource shortage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidPDCCH resource availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the data region to serve dual functions: transmitting both data (PDSCH) and control information (E-PDCCH) simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the system to support multiple UEs with control channels in the data region while maintaining high throughput through MU-MIMO data transmissions, effectively resolving the resource shortage problem.

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

3Reliability

If control channels are transmitted with high order diversity, then transmission reliability is improved, but resource allocation becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different transmission schemes to different spatial locations and user equipment. Beamforming provides directional high-order diversity for specific UEs, while transmit diversity offers omnidirectional reliability for others. This localized quality approach ensures each UE receives appropriate diversity protection without wasting system-wide resources, thereby improving both reliability and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3232598B1Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving control channel in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3232598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3232598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3232598B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A control channel transmission/reception method and apparatus is provided. The base station of the present invention transmits (1310) configuration information associated with a control channel to a terminal, maps (1330) a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) to first resource elements in a resource block, increases (1330), if second resource elements is not used for transmitting the DMRS, a transmit power of first resource elements using a transmit power of the second resource elements, and transmits (1350) the DMRS and control channel to the terminal using the increased transmit power.