Monitoring Timing Control in Wireless Communication Subframes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently controlling monitoring timing and synchronization, particularly in small cell and macro cell environments, where cell reference signals (CRS) need to be distinguished between subframes with and without CRS, to manage interference and enhance user throughput.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method and apparatus for controlling monitoring timing by configuring subframes into legacy carrier type (LCT) and new carrier type (NCT) subframes, where NCT subframes do not transmit CRS, using DM-RS for demodulation, and allowing EPDCCH monitoring, to optimize interference coordination and resource allocation in small cell clusters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If CRS is transmitted in all subframes to ensure reliable demodulation and control signaling, then reliability of control signals is improved, but interference increases and resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of control signalsVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments subframes into two types: LCT subframes that transmit CRS for reliable demodulation and control signaling, and NCT subframes that do not transmit CRS to reduce interference and save resources. This segmentation allows the system to selectively apply CRS transmission based on subframe type, resolving the contradiction between reliability and interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality characteristics to different subframes by transmitting CRS only in LCT subframes while omitting it in NCT subframes. This local differentiation allows critical control signals to maintain high reliability where needed while reducing interference in data transmission subframes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If CRS is transmitted continuously to support legacy UE compatibility and reliable demodulation, then ease of operation is improved, but resource efficiency and user throughput deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelegacy UE compatibilityVSAvoiduser throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments subframes into LCT and NCT types, where LCT subframes maintain CRS transmission for legacy UE compatibility while NCT subframes omit CRS to improve resource efficiency and user throughput. This segmentation allows the system to support both legacy and advanced UEs simultaneously without compromising overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic transmission of CRS in LCT subframes according to a configured pattern, allowing legacy UEs to periodically acquire reference signals while advanced UEs can continuously utilize NCT subframes for high-speed data transmission, thereby balancing compatibility and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If monitoring timing is fixed to ensure simple UE operation and synchronization, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to dynamic traffic conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE synchronizationVSAvoidadaptability to traffic conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic monitoring timing adaptation where the UE can be configured with different monitoring subframe patterns (LCT and NCT subframe configurations) based on traffic conditions. The UE monitors EPDCCH in both LCT and NCT subframes according to configured patterns, allowing the system to adapt monitoring behavior to dynamic traffic requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through configuration-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2987255B1Method and apparatus for controlling monitoring timing in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2987255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2987255B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2987255B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for and apparatus for controlling monitoring timing in a wireless communication system is provided. A wireless device may acquire information including a monitoring subframe configuration, which is set for a first subframe in which at least one of control and reference signal is present, and a second subframe in which the control and reference signal are not present within a radio frame; determine monitoring subframes of a cell based on the information; and control to monitor the first subframe and the second subframe according to the monitoring subframes.