PUCCH Format 3 Resource Allocation for SRS Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems, particularly those utilizing carrier aggregation in 3GPP technologies like LTE Advanced, face challenges in efficiently allocating resources to avoid collisions in Physical Uplink Control Channels (PUCCH) due to the interaction with sounding reference signals (SRS).

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an access node assigning four PUCCH Format 3 resources per carrier aggregation UE and selectively indicating one of these resources for downlink transmissions on secondary cells, thereby avoiding collisions with SRS by not using the first and last resources in non-SRS subframes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all available PUCCH Format 3 resources are allocated to UEs, then the number of UEs multiplexed in control channel increases, but collisions with sounding reference signals occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of UEs multiplexed in control channelVSAvoidcollision avoidance in PUCCH

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The PUCCH Format 3 resources are segmented into different types (first resources and last resources) that are specifically avoided in non-SRS subframes. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between resources that may collide with SRS and those that won't, enabling selective allocation that prevents collisions while maintaining UE multiplexing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by treating different resource positions within PUCCH Format 3 differently based on their collision potential with SRS. Specifically, first and last resources are identified as having higher collision risk and are avoided in non-SRS subframes, while intermediate resources are used normally. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by protecting specific vulnerable resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If first and last resources are avoided in non-SRS subframes, then SRS-related collisions are reduced, but resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance in PUCCHVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The resource allocation is made dynamic by adapting the selection of PUCCH Format 3 resources based on the subframe type (SRS or non-SRS). In non-SRS subframes, first and last resources are avoided, while in SRS subframes, all resources can be utilized. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing resource usage according to actual collision risk conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3523914B1Allocation of resources in physical uplink control channels

Publication Date: 2025.05.28 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

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AI summary

Various communication systems may benefit from carrier aggregation. For example, carrier aggregation may benefit from improved resource allocation. A method, in certain embodiments, includes allocate resources in a subframe so as to avoid at least one of a first resource or a last resource in the subframe. The subframe does not comprise a sounding reference signal. The method also includes sending a message comprising the resource allocation of the subframe to a user equipment.