ePDCCH Resource Determination in LTE PDSCH Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the LTE Rel-11 system, there is no effective solution for determining enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH) resources, which affects the demodulation performance of control signaling due to varying CSI-RS configurations and available REs in the PDSCH area.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining the number of ePDCCH resource units by defining the size of the minimum resource unit (eCCE or eREG) based on the number of symbols occupied by PDCCH, CRS ports, DMRS ports, and CSI-RS configuration, allowing for dynamic allocation of resources in the PDSCH area, with specific examples provided for different configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ePDCCH resources are allocated without considering CSI-RS configuration, then resource allocation is simple, but demodulation performance deteriorates due to varying available REs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemodulation performanceVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation for ePDCCH by adjusting the number of resource blocks based on CSI-RS configuration. The base station determines available REs in the PDSCH area considering CSI-RS resources, and dynamically allocates ePDCCH resources accordingly. This dynamic adjustment ensures that ePDCCH allocation adapts to different CSI-RS configurations, maintaining reliable demodulation performance while efficiently utilizing available resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If fixed number of ePDCCH resource blocks are allocated, then resource allocation is straightforward, but resource wastage occurs when CSI-RS configurations vary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidresource determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of ePDCCH resource block allocation from fixed to variable based on CSI-RS configuration. The base station calculates the number of available REs in the PDSCH area by considering the CSI-RS configuration, and determines the number of ePDCCH resource blocks dynamically. This parameter change enables efficient resource utilization by matching resource allocation to actual available resources, avoiding both waste and insufficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If ePDCCH resources are determined without considering available REs in PDSCH area, then resource allocation is simple, but control signaling reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signaling reliabilityVSAvoidresource determination process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the base station determine the CSI-RS configuration and calculate available REs in the PDSCH area before allocating ePDCCH resources. This preliminary determination of resource availability ensures that subsequent ePDCCH allocation is based on accurate information about usable resources, thereby guaranteeing control signaling reliability while maintaining an organized resource determination process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2830376B1Method and device for determining epdcch resources
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 CHINA ACAD OF TELECOMM TECH
  • EP2830376B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2830376B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP2830376B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for determining number of ePDCCH resource units. The method includes: determining number of symbols occupied by PDCCH, number of CRS ports, number of DMRS ports and CSI-RS configuration in a subframe; and determining resources available for transmitting an ePDCCH in PDSCH area of the subframe according to the number of symbols occupied by the PDCCH, the number of CRS ports, the number of DMRS ports and the CSI-RS configuration. According to the present disclosure, the number of ePDCCH resource units may be determined when the ePDCCH is transmitted in the PDSCH data area.