Frequency Domain Spreading for PUCCH Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing PUCCH format in LTE-A Release 13 fails to efficiently support the transmission of multiple ACK/NACK feedback bits for more than 5 aggregated carriers, leading to increased overhead and reduced multiplexing capacity in Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs).

Innovation Solution

The method involves frequency domain spreading and de-spreading of uplink control information using orthogonal sequences, where user equipment obtains indication information for orthogonal sequences and spreads the data symbols accordingly, allowing for efficient transmission over frequency resources, thereby increasing the number of user equipments that can be multiplexed in a PRB and reducing resource overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the new PUCCH format based on PUSCH structure is used to carry more bit codes and modulation symbols, then the capacity for ACK/NACK feedback is improved, but the multiplexing capacity in PRB is reduced and resource overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity for ACK/NACK feedbackVSAvoidmultiplexing capacity in PRB

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies frequency domain spreading to distribute control information across multiple frequency resources within a PRB, transforming the resource utilization from time-domain only to frequency-domain multiplication. This enables multiple UEs to share the same time-frequency resources through orthogonal spreading codes, thereby improving multiplexing capacity while maintaining the enhanced feedback capacity of the new PUCCH format

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the new PUCCH format based on PUSCH structure is used to carry more bit codes and modulation symbols, then the capacity for ACK/NACK feedback is improved, but the resource overhead is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity for ACK/NACK feedbackVSAvoidPUCCH resource overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple PUCCH transmissions from different UEs into a single PRB through frequency domain spreading, allowing simultaneous transmission of multiple control information streams using orthogonal sequences. This consolidation reduces the total number of dedicated PUCCH resources required while maintaining individual UE feedback capacities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3355479B1Frequency domain spreading and de-spreading method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.04.05 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD

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Figure 3b

AI summary

The present application provides a frequency domain spreading and de-spreading method and apparatus. In embodiments of the present application, user equipment acquires indication information of an orthogonal sequence used by a transmission physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); the user equipment spreads, according to an orthogonal sequence corresponding to the indication information of the orthogonal sequence, a frequency domain for uplink control information borne by the PUCCH; and the user equipment transmits, over a frequency domain resource corresponding to the PUCCH, the uplink control information of which the frequency domain is spread. The present application can spread a frequency domain for uplink control information borne by a PUCCH.