ePDSCH Resource Allocation in LTE Legacy Control Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communications systems, such as 3GPP LTE, face limitations in data transmission efficiency due to restricted symbol allocation in subframes, which hinders increased data rate and spectrum utilization.
Innovation Solution
The system allocates resource blocks to an enhanced physical downlink shared channel (ePDSCH) and an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH) with distinct starting points within a legacy control region, allowing for flexible resource allocation and interference avoidance, and signals these allocations to user equipment (UE) to enhance data transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If resource blocks are allocated to ePDSCH and ePDCCH with distinct starting points within the legacy control region, then additional symbols per subframe can be used for data transmission, but the control channel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control region is segmented into multiple control channels (ePDCCH and ePDSCH) with distinct starting points. The ePDCCH occupies the first N symbols of the control region while the ePDSCH starts at a later symbol position, allowing independent resource allocation and avoiding interference between control and data channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of resource allocation by allowing the ePDSCH to start at different symbol positions within the control region, rather than exclusively in the data region. This vertical dimension (time/symbol position) provides additional flexibility for resource management.
2Productivity
If more symbols are allocated to data transmission, then data rate increases, but the control channel coverage and reliability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the control region are assigned different functions with optimized characteristics. The ePDCCH is allocated to the earlier symbols with better channel conditions for reliable control signaling, while the ePDSCH utilizes later symbols including those in the control region that can support data transmission with adequate reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control channel (ePDCCH) is established in the earlier symbols before the data channel (ePDSCH) begins. This preliminary establishment of control signaling ensures that resource allocation and scheduling decisions are communicated to the UE before data transmission commences, maintaining control channel reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ePDSCH starts at a different position than the ePDCCH, then resource allocation flexibility improves, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control region serves multiple functions simultaneously: it hosts the ePDCCH for control signaling and the ePDSCH for data transmission. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain flexible resource allocation while utilizing existing control region infrastructure, reducing the need for additional signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The ePDSCH allocation within the control region is self-configuring based on the ePDCCH resource allocation. The starting point and resource block allocation for ePDSCH are determined by the control channel configuration, eliminating the need for separate signaling and reducing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes allocating, by a communications controller, a first set of resource blocks to an enhanced physical downlink shared channel (ePDSCH), where the ePDSCH has a first starting point and allocating, by the communications controller, a second set of resource blocks to an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH). The method also includes identifying, by the communications controller, a second starting point for the ePDSCH, where the second starting point for the ePDSCH is located within a legacy control region, where the first starting point of the ePDCCH is located within the legacy control region, and where the second starting point of the ePDSCH is different than the first starting point of the ePDCCH. Additionally, the method includes signaling, by the communications controller to a user equipment (UE) the second starting point and a number of the second set of resource blocks allocated to the ePDSCH.