LTE Control Channel Beam Area Allocation via Active Antenna System

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current LTE system's control channel transmission performance is suboptimal, leading to limited resource allocation and interference issues, particularly in dense areas, which affects the scheduling of uplink and downlink traffic channels and is exacerbated by the use of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an Active Antenna System (AAS) in the LTE system, which dynamically allocates control channel resources by determining activated beam areas based on receiving power and reduces interference by selectively transmitting control signals only in activated beams, thereby improving the Signal to Interference Ratio (SINR) and increasing available resources for scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional control channel resource allocation is used based on C-RNTI and CCE convergence, then the allocation process is simple, but the control channel transmission performance is suboptimal and resources are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel transmission performanceVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control channel transmission by dividing it into multiple beam areas. Each beam area is independently managed with its own resource allocation, allowing for more granular control and improved transmission performance without overwhelming system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic beam management where the system can adaptively select and activate different beams based on channel conditions. This dynamic approach improves transmission reliability by selecting optimal beams while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If control channels are transmitted in all beam areas, then complete coverage is achieved, but interference to control channels increases particularly in dense areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference to control channelVSAvoidcontrol channel coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transmitting control channels with different characteristics in different beam areas. Each beam area can have optimized transmission parameters tailored to its specific conditions, reducing interference while maintaining appropriate coverage in each local region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements selective beam activation where not all beams transmit control channels simultaneously. By skipping transmission in certain beams when interference would be high and relying on other beams to provide coverage, the system reduces overall interference while maintaining coverage through spatial diversity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Productivity

If space division multiplexing is applied to traffic channels, then system capacity improves, but the control channel resources become insufficient for MIMO scheduling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidcontrol channel resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control channel resources across multiple beam areas, effectively creating additional resource pools. This segmentation allows more control channel elements to be available for MIMO scheduling while still supporting space division multiplexing in traffic channels, as each beam area can independently allocate resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to control channel resource allocation by utilizing multiple beam areas. This dimensional expansion provides additional resource availability without consuming more frequency or time resources, enabling both enhanced capacity and sufficient control channel resources for MIMO

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

Data Source

PatentEP2876963B1Control channel processing method and device
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 ZTE CORP
  • EP2876963B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2876963B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2876963B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for processing a control channel are provided. An activated Beam Area (BA) of the control channel is determined according to the receiving power in a BA; control channel resources are allocated according to the scheduling condition in a cell; and a control signal is sent according to the activated BA of the control channel and the allocation condition of the control channel resources. The control channel resources are allocated through an Active Antenna System (AAS) in the LTE system, so that the probability of space division multiplexing of a traffic channel can be increased while ensuring the normal running of the system, the interference to the control channel is reduced effectively, and the performance of the control channel is improved.