LTE Control Channel Resource Multiplexing via Extension Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE/LTE-A systems, the number of transmitting terminals supported by a Physical Resource Block (PRB) is limited due to the distinction of PUCCH formats, leading to low resource utilization, especially when multiple antennas are used, as each antenna array requires separate time-frequency resources.

Innovation Solution

The method involves obtaining second and third data symbol sequences from a first data symbol sequence and using the same extension sequence to process them, mapping them onto the same time-frequency resources corresponding to different antenna arrays, ensuring that each antenna array can use the same extension sequence, thereby increasing the number of terminals that can be supported by a PRB.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different PUCCH formats are used for different control signaling types, then control signaling transmission is enabled, but the number of transmitting terminals supported by one PRB is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signaling transmissionVSAvoidnumber of transmitting terminals supported
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling a single PUCCH format to serve multiple control signaling types (ACK/NACK, CQI, scheduling request) through the use of different extension sequences. Instead of requiring separate PUCCH formats for each control signaling type, the system allows one format to handle all types by varying the extension sequence applied to the data symbol sequence, thereby increasing the number of terminals that can be supported in one PRB.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of extension sequence to differentiate control signaling types. By applying different extension sequences (different cyclic shifts or different base sequences) to the same PUCCH format, the system can distinguish between ACK/NACK, CQI, and scheduling request signals without requiring different formats, thus resolving the contradiction between format differentiation and terminal support capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple antenna arrays are used for transmitting terminals, then transmission diversity is improved, but each antenna array requires separate time-frequency resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission diversityVSAvoidtime-frequency resources required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple antenna arrays into the same time-frequency resources by allowing different antenna arrays to transmit using the same PUCCH format and same PRB. The distinction between antenna arrays is handled through different extension sequences rather than separate resource allocation, thereby combining resource usage while maintaining transmission diversity across multiple antennas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension for resource differentiation - the extension sequence dimension. Instead of allocating separate time-frequency resources for each antenna array, the system differentiates antenna arrays by assigning different extension sequences (cyclic shifts) to each, effectively moving the differentiation from the time-frequency domain to the sequence domain.

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

3Quantity of substance

If one PRB accommodates multiple PUCCHs of the same format distinguished by different sequences, then more terminals can be supported, but the sequences must be orthogonal which limits the number of available sequences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of terminals supportedVSAvoidsequence orthogonality requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the extension sequence space into multiple orthogonal cyclic shifts that can be assigned to different antenna arrays and control signaling types. By dividing the available cyclic shifts among different terminals and antenna arrays, the system can support more terminals within the orthogonality constraint, as each terminal receives a unique cyclic shift assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2698929B1Communication method and apparatus for control channel
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2698929B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2698929B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2698929B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a communication method for a control channel and an apparatus, where the control channel includes at least one timeslot, and the method includes: obtaining, according to a first data symbol sequence [q(0),q(1),L q(M-1)] to be transmitted in a timeslot and coefficients a(i) and d(i), a second data symbol sequence [a(0)q(0),a(1)q(1),L ,a(M-1)q(M-1)] and a third data symbol sequence [a(0)q(0),a(1)q(1),L ,a(M-1)q(M-1)], where, in a(i)+d(i), at least one pair of a(u)+d(u) and a(v)+d(v) have unequal moduli; and using the same extension sequence [w(0),w(1),L ,w(N-1)] to process the second data symbol sequence and the third data symbol sequence, mapping the processed data respectively onto the same time-frequency resources corresponding to a first antenna array and a second antenna array, and transmitting the data, where i, u, and v are integers, 0≤i≤M-1, and u≤v.