PUCCH Resource Allocation for Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE communications systems with carrier aggregation, the increasing density of base stations leads to a significant increase in Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource consumption, resulting in decreased uplink throughput due to the need for independent PUCCH resources for each Secondary Component Carrier (SCC), which conflicts with the limited use of PUCCH resources for data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for allocating PUCCH resources by configuring multiple PUCCH code channel groups, where each group includes code channel pairs, and allocating these resources to multiple SCCs such that they use non-overlapping code channel pairs, reducing resource conflicts and consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independent PUCCH resources are allocated to each SCC to avoid resource conflicts, then resource allocation reliability is improved, but PUCCH resource consumption increases linearly with the number of SCCs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges PUCCH resources from multiple SCCs by grouping them into code channel groups. Specifically, it combines PUCCH resources from at least two SCCs into a single code channel group, allowing multiple SCCs to share the same PUCCH resource pool on the PCC. This merging approach reduces the total number of independent PUCCH resources needed while maintaining reliable resource allocation through the use of non-overlapping code channel pairs within each group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal PUCCH resource pool on the PCC that serves multiple SCCs simultaneously. The code channel groups are designed to be multi-functional, capable of handling feedback information from different SCCs through the use of distinct code channel pairs. This universal resource allocation mechanism allows the same PUCCH resource structure to serve multiple purposes across different SCCs, reducing overall resource consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more PUCCH resources are allocated to support more SCCs, then system adaptability is improved, but uplink throughput on PCC deteriorates due to reduced data transmission capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PUCCH resource pool into multiple code channel groups, where each group contains specific code channel pairs assigned to particular SCCs. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different numbers and configurations of SCCs while maintaining efficient resource utilization. The segmented structure enables flexible allocation without requiring dedicated resources for each SCC, thereby preserving uplink throughput capacity on the PCC.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a physical uplink control channel resource allocation method and apparatus. The method includes: configuring a PUCCH resource for a PCC, where the PUCCH resource includes at least two PUCCH code channel groups, and each PUCCH code channel group includes at least two PUCCH code channel pairs; determining a PUCCH resource allocated to an SCC, where a same code channel group in the PUCCH resource is allocated to at least two SCCs; and determining code channel pairs used by the SCCs to which the same code channel group in the PUCCH resource is allocated, so that any two SCCs among the SCCs to which the same code channel group in the PUCCH resource is allocated use non-overlapping code channel pairs, so that multiple SCCs share a same PUCCH resource, thereby reducing PUCCH resource consumption, and increasing PUCCH resource utilization, and also increasing an uplink system throughput.