EPDCCH Resource Allocation for Heterogeneous Network Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous network deployments and CoMP transmission schemes, there is a challenge in effectively notifying control information from a base station to a terminal, leading to capacity issues in the notification area, which hinders transmission efficiency between the base station and the terminal.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a base station and terminal apparatus that utilize enhanced physical downlink control channels (EPDCCH) and physical downlink shared channels (PDSCH) to efficiently transmit control information, with advanced coding, modulation, and precoding techniques, along with specific reference signals for channel estimation, to improve communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If general notification methods are used for control information in heterogeneous network deployment and CoMP transmission schemes, then the implementation is simple, but the notification area capacity is insufficient and transmission efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidnotification method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification area is segmented into multiple regions (first notification area and second notification area) with different capacities and characteristics. The first notification area uses conventional PDCCH resources while the second notification area uses EPDCCH resources, allowing control information to be distributed across segmented regions with different capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension for control channel notification by adding the second notification area (EPDCCH) alongside the traditional first notification area (PDCCH). This dimensional expansion in the notification space enables simultaneous use of multiple notification mechanisms with different capacities and interference characteristics.

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

2Productivity

If resources are shared among macro base station and RRHs, then frequency utilization efficiency is improved, but interference management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency utilization efficiencyVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different notification areas are assigned different qualities and characteristics suited to their local conditions. The first notification area (PDCCH) is optimized for macro base station coverage while the second notification area (EPDCCH) is optimized for RRH-specific scenarios, allowing each region to operate with locally optimized parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism for managing resources between macro base station and RRHs. The control information notification system acts as an intermediary that coordinates resource usage, allowing shared resources to be managed through differentiated notification areas that mediate between conflicting demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If control information is transmitted using conventional PDCCH only, then the implementation is straightforward, but the notification area capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification area capacityVSAvoidcontrol channel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two different control channel notification areas (PDCCH-based first notification area and EPDCCH-based second notification area) into a unified control information transmission system. This combination allows the system to leverage the strengths of both conventional and enhanced control channels, achieving greater total capacity than either could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2899908B1Base station device, mobile station device, communication method, and integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 SHARP KK
  • EP2899908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2899908B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2899908B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention enables a base station apparatus to efficiently notify a mobile station apparatus of control information in a wireless communication system in which the base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus communicate. An EPDCCH consists of one or a plurality of ECCEs, and each of the ECCEs consists of a plurality of EREGs. When the EPDCCH is transmitted using distributed mapping, each resource element in each EREG is associated with one out of two antenna ports in an alternating manner, and the base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus communicate based on the association.