ePDCCH Resource Element Mapping for Interference Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of the enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (ePDCCH) in communication networks faces challenges due to differences in mapping rules compared to legacy PDCCH, particularly with considerations for interference coordination, carrier-aggregation, and multi-point transmission, requiring a new design rule that accounts for enhanced Control Channel Elements (eCCE) and Resource Element (RE) mapping patterns, including collisions with legacy signals.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for resource element mapping of ePDCCH in base stations and user equipment, where the size of eCCE is defined as 36 REs, with eREGs configured based on interleaving complexity, and RE mapping patterns are determined as frequency-first or time-first, considering collisions with legacy signals like PSS, CRS, and CSI-RS, with options for exclusion or puncturing of REs, and notification to user equipment for appropriate decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ePDCCH is located in legacy PDSCH with new mapping rules, then interference coordination and multi-point transmission are enhanced, but device complexity and mapping rule design difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ePDCCH resource elements are segmented into multiple eCCEs (enhanced Control Channel Elements), which are further divided into eREGs (enhanced Resource Element Groups). This segmentation allows for flexible mapping patterns (frequency-first or time-first) and enables the system to coordinate interference across different resource segments while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If RE mapping patterns are designed to avoid collision with legacy signals, then decoding reliability improves, but resource allocation flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic mapping patterns that can switch between frequency-first and time-first approaches. The selection of mapping pattern and the decision to use exclusion or puncturing methods are made adaptively based on channel conditions, traffic requirements, and legacy signal locations. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize decoding reliability in specific scenarios while maintaining overall resource allocation flexibility across different operating conditions.
3Productivity
If eCCE size is defined as 36 REs with structured eREG configuration, then resource allocation efficiency improves, but mapping rule complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent standardizes the eCCE size to 36 REs and defines specific eREG configurations (e.g., 6 eREGs per eCCE with 6 REs per eREG). These parameter changes create a regular, predictable structure that improves resource allocation efficiency through simplified calculations and uniform resource management. The standardized parameters reduce mapping rule complexity by providing fixed, pre-determined configurations that can be implemented systematically across the network.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method and apparatus, in a base station of a communication network, for performing resource element mapping of an e PDCCH for respective user equipments served by the base station. Specifically the base station firstly determines resource element mapping patterns for the respective user equipments and performs the resource element mapping based upon the determined resource element mapping patterns, wherein the resource element mapping patterns include performing the resource element mapping for the e PDCCH by excluding resource elements corresponding to a legacy signal or performing the resource element mapping for the e PDCCH by puncturing the resource elements corresponding to the legacy signal; and then the base station sends information about the resource element mapping patterns determined for the respective user equipments and a downlink control signaling to the respective user equipments. The invention further provides a method and apparatus for performing e PDCCH decoding in a user equipment of a communication network; a method, in a base station of a communication network, of notifying a user equipment of a size of an enhanced resource element group; a method, in a base station of a communication network, of notifying a user equipment of a mapping pattern.