Orthogonal Cover Code Spreading for NTN Uplink Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems, particularly in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), face challenges in enhancing uplink capacity and throughput.

Innovation Solution

The use of orthogonal cover codes (OCCs) for uplink multiplexing and sub-physical resource block (sub-PRB) allocations in the frequency domain to improve uplink capacity and throughput in NTN contexts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If orthogonal cover code spreading is implemented for uplink multiplexing, then uplink capacity and throughput are enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink transmission resources by applying orthogonal cover codes to different spatial layers and reference signals. This segmentation allows multiple users to share the same time-frequency resources while maintaining orthogonality, thereby enhancing uplink capacity without requiring additional physical resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of orthogonality by utilizing orthogonal cover codes with different orthogonalities. By adjusting the orthogonality parameters between different reference signals and data channels, the system can support more simultaneous transmissions, improving uplink throughput while managing complexity through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If orthogonal cover code spreading is used for uplink multiplexing, then network performance improves, but implementation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies orthogonal cover codes universally across multiple functions including data transmission, reference signals, and demodulation. This multi-functionality allows a single orthogonality mechanism to serve multiple purposes in the uplink, improving overall network performance while avoiding the need for separate complex systems for each function.

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

3Productivity

If sub-physical resource block allocations are implemented, then frequency domain resource efficiency improves, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resource efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sub-physical resource block allocations that divide traditional physical resource blocks into smaller sub-blocks in the frequency domain. This dimensional change allows for more granular resource allocation, improving frequency resource efficiency by matching resource allocation to actual transmission needs more closely.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic sub-PRB allocation where the number and size of sub-resource blocks can be adjusted based on channel conditions, user requirements, and network load. This dynamic approach optimizes frequency resource efficiency while managing allocation complexity through adaptive rather than static resource division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4564726A1Systems and methods for throughput enhancement in non-terrestrial networks using orthogonal cover code spreading
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 APPLE INC
  • EP4564726A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4564726A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4564726A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for throughput enhancement in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) using orthogonal cover code (OCC) spreading are discussed. A user equipment (UE) of an NTN that communicates with a base station over a service link of the NTN receives, from the base station, a downlink control information (DCI) that indicates a dynamic uplink grant for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), where the DCI communicates an OCC sequence index; identifies, using the OCC sequence index, a first OCC sequence for the first PUSCH from a set of OCC sequences of an OCC size corresponding to the OCC sequence index; spreads data for the PUSCH into the PUSCH using the first OCC sequence; and sends, to the base station, over the service link, the PUSCH according to the dynamic uplink grant. Cases using configuration information for a configured uplink grant are also discussed. Corresponding base station behaviors are discussed.