Persistent Uplink DNA Control Channel Grant for Signaling Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face inefficiencies due to significant system overhead associated with allocating uplink control channels, which reduces system capacity and hampers the objective of maximizing service availability.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a persistent uplink data non-associated (DNA) control channel grant that allows for a longer duration of channel allocation, enabling periodic CQI reports and ACK/NACK messages without additional signaling overhead, by using predetermined rules for resource allocation and configuration between the scheduler and user equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional allocation approach is used where each uplink control channel allocation requires system overhead (messages between UE and scheduler, ACK/NACKs), then resource allocation can be controlled and monitored, but system overhead grows which reduces system capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel allocation reliabilityVSAvoidsystem capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring uplink control channel resources through higher-layer signaling (RRC connection setup or reconfiguration) before actual data transmission. The network configures parameters such as PUCCH resource indices, frequency offsets, and cyclic shifts in advance, so that when uplink data arrives, the UE can immediately transmit control information (ACK/NACK, CQI) without requiring additional dynamic grants, thereby eliminating per-allocation overhead while maintaining reliable control channel operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating reusable control channel resource configurations that can be applied multiple times. Once a PUCCH resource configuration is established through RRC signaling, it serves as a template that the UE can repeatedly use for multiple uplink transmissions. This copying mechanism allows the same control channel resources to be reused across different data transmissions, significantly reducing the overhead of repeated allocation signaling while ensuring consistent and reliable control channel performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If careful control of UE access to spectral resources is implemented to maximize service availability, then resource utilization is optimized, but system overhead increases due to frequent allocation signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidsystem overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by establishing persistent uplink control channel resources that remain valid across multiple uplink data transmissions. Once the PUCCH resources are configured through RRC signaling, they continue to be available for control information transmission without requiring re-allocation. This continuous availability of control channel resources allows the system to maintain high service availability for multiple transmissions while eliminating the energy-consuming overhead of repeated allocation signaling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic allocation grants are provided for each uplink control channel use, then resource allocation flexibility is maintained, but signaling overhead and message exchange between UE and scheduler increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the control channel resource configuration from the data transmission scheduling. The RRC layer handles the configuration of PUCCH resources (including resource indices, frequency offsets, and cyclic shifts) in advance, while the MAC layer handles dynamic data scheduling. This segmentation allows flexible data allocation through MAC control elements without requiring corresponding control channel reconfiguration, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining the necessary adaptability for dynamic resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3582408B1Uplink control channel allocation
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 APPLE INC
  • EP3582408B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3582408B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3582408B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for receiving uplink data, the method comprising: determine a data modulation coding scheme, MCS (403); in recognition that a transmission of data non-associated, DNA (407), control information will time overlap transmission of uplink data, determine a control MCS (407), wherein the control MCS is determined based on known one or more predetermined rules (407); transmitting an uplink channel grant identifying uplink channel resources for the uplink data including the data MCS (411); and receiving the uplink data and the DNA control information in accordance with the data MCS and the control MCS on the uplink channel resources (421).