LTE-A Cross-Subframe ACK Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, acknowledgment resource collisions occur due to shared starting control channel elements (CCE) across different subframes, leading to interference and degraded performance in both downlink and uplink transmissions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) in different subframes to assign resources for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmissions, with the determination of acknowledgment resources dependent on the subframe in which the PDCCH was transmitted, to avoid collisions by using distinct CCE numbering or offsets across subframes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the same starting CCE index is used for PDCCH transmissions in different subframes, then resource allocation is simplified, but acknowledgment resource collisions occur leading to degraded performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidtransmission success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the CCE numbering scheme subframe-specific. Each subframe has its own localized CCE numbering starting from a subframe-dependent offset, so that the same CCE index in different subframes refers to different physical resources. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple indexing logic locally within each subframe while ensuring global uniqueness across subframes, thereby preventing acknowledgment resource collisions without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to the resource allocation by incorporating the subframe index into the CCE resource identification. Instead of using only the CCE index within a single subframe, the system now considers the combination of subframe number and CCE index, effectively moving from a 1D resource space to a 2D resource space. This dimensional expansion ensures unique resource allocation across multiple subframes while maintaining the simplicity of individual subframe processing.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If cross-subframe resource allocation is implemented, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but acknowledgment resource determination becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidacknowledgment resource determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for acknowledgment resource determination from a static CCE-based indexing to a dynamic subframe-dependent CCE numbering. The starting offset for CCE numbering is changed based on the subframe index, which allows the system to maintain simple determination logic (using the same basic formula) while adapting to different subframes. This parameter change enables cross-subframe scheduling flexibility without significantly increasing the complexity of acknowledgment resource determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2569888B1Acknowledgment transmissions under cross-subframe resource allocation in LTE-a
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2569888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2569888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2569888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer-program thereof for acknowledgement transmissions under cross-subframe resource allocation are described, comprising : transmitting, in different subframes, physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) assigning resources for a plurality of physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmissions in a common subframe; and determining, for each PDSCH transmissions transmitted in the common subframe, resources for use in receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) of whether or not the PDSCH transmission was successfully received, wherein the determining is dependent, at least in part, on a subframe in which the PDCCH was transmitted.