Group Common Control for Uplink Coverage Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communications systems operating in millimeter wave frequencies face challenges with beam reliability, leading to inefficient resource use and potential loss of communication when beams become weak or partially blocked, as existing beam switching procedures can be inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing group common control for coverage enhancement, where a base station transmits control signaling to UEs to use specific coverage enhancement procedures for uplink control channels, including additional repetitions or different time-frequency resources, to maintain communication reliability without immediate beam switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam switching procedure is performed when beam becomes weak or blocked, then communication reliability is maintained, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to inefficient resource use during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the uplink control channel transmission configuration dynamic and adaptable. Instead of fixed beam switching procedures, the system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters such as number of repetitions, time-frequency resources, and power based on real-time coverage enhancement needs. This allows the system to adapt transmission characteristics to current channel conditions, maintaining communication reliability while optimizing resource usage during beam transitions or weak signal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying transmission parameters (number of repetitions, time-frequency resource allocation, power levels) based on coverage enhancement procedures. When beam reliability deteriorates, the system changes these parameters to maintain communication without immediately switching beams, thereby preserving resource efficiency while ensuring communication continuity. The base station can dynamically adjust these parameters through group common control signaling.
2Reliability
If additional repetitions or different time-frequency resources are used for coverage enhancement, then uplink transmission reliability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial or excessive action by using additional repetitions or alternative time-frequency resources only when and where coverage enhancement is actually needed. Instead of applying coverage enhancement universally, the base station selectively activates these mechanisms for specific UEs or specific uplink control channel transmissions based on measured signal quality and coverage conditions. This partial application minimizes overall resource consumption while maintaining reliability for affected transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of coverage enhancement applied based on real-time conditions. The base station monitors uplink signal quality and dynamically determines whether additional repetitions or alternative resources are needed, adjusting the degree of resource allocation accordingly. This dynamic approach ensures resources are consumed only when necessary for maintaining reliability, rather than being permanently over-allocated.
3Productivity
If group common control signaling is used to instruct coverage enhancement procedures, then transmission parameter adjustment efficiency is improved, but control signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control signaling by using group common control messages that can simultaneously instruct multiple UEs about coverage enhancement procedures. Instead of sending individual control signals to each UE, the base station transmits unified group common control information that applies to a group of UEs experiencing similar coverage conditions. This merging approach maintains efficient parameter adjustment while reducing the total amount of control signaling overhead compared to individual UE-specific signaling.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. One method for coverage enhancement may include a base station transmitting control signaling to one or more user equipments (UEs) using a same beam configuration to perform a coverage enhancement procedure for uplink transmissions. In response, one or more UEs may determine one or more transmission parameters for uplink transmission based on the coverage enhancement procedure. In some cases, the coverage enhancement procedure may include the UEs transmitting additional repetitions of an uplink transmission, using additional time or frequency resources, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the UEs may use different coverage enhancement procedures. Accordingly, the one or more UEs may transmit an uplink transmission based on the one or more transmission parameters.