MTC Uplink Control Channel Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminals face challenges in determining uplink control channel resources for HARQ ACK/NACK feedback, especially in poor radio wave environments, leading to uncertainty and potential conflicts with typical terminal resources.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for allocating uplink control channel resources for MTC terminals, involving the reception of structural information containing resource allocation and offset information, which is used to determine the uplink control channel resources based on downlink control channel information, ensuring accurate and conflict-free resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control information is repeatedly transmitted to improve MTC terminal reception performance, then reliability is improved, but resource allocation becomes uncertain and conflicts with typical terminal resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information reception performanceVSAvoidresource allocation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink control channel resources by introducing a dedicated PUCCH resource pool for MTC terminals, separate from typical terminal resources. This segmentation allows repeated transmissions to occur in dedicated resources without conflicting with typical terminal allocations, resolving the uncertainty while maintaining reliability improvements from repetition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring specific PUCCH resource parameters (starting PRB, cyclic shift, orthogonal cover code) that are optimized for MTC terminals in poor radio wave environments. These localized resource configurations enable reliable repeated transmissions tailored to MTC needs without affecting typical terminal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If control information is repeatedly transmitted in multiple subframes, then reliability is improved, but resource conflicts with typical terminal uplink control channel resources occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information reception performanceVSAvoidresource conflicts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments uplink control channel resources into separate pools: one for typical terminals and another dedicated pool for MTC terminals. By allocating MTC-specific PUCCH resources with distinct starting physical resource blocks and configuration parameters, the system enables repeated transmissions in multiple subframes without resource conflicts with typical terminals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary configuration mechanism through downlink control information (DCI) that carries PUCCH resource indicators. This intermediary allows the base station to dynamically assign MTC terminals to specific resources within the dedicated pool, mediating between the need for repeated transmissions and the avoidance of conflicts with typical terminal resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10181931B2Method for uplink control channel resource allocation of terminal and apparatus thereof

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 KT CORP

AI summary

Provided are a method and an apparatus for PUCCH resource allocation for an uplink HARQ ACK/NACK feedback of a machine-type communication (MTC) terminal in a 3GPP LTE/LTE-Advanced system.