PUCCH Format 3a Resource Allocation for 32 Carrier Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE system is unable to efficiently transmit Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request (HARQ) feedback for 32 component carriers due to the limitations of the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) format 3, which can only handle up to 8 carrier components, necessitating a new PUCCH format to support increased transmission speeds in carrier aggregation scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A new PUCCH format 3a is introduced, allowing for the transmission of HARQ feedback across a plurality of continuous Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs, enabling the inclusion of feedback for up to 32 Component Carriers (CCs) by configuring the starting position and number of PRBs, and incorporating spectrum spreading codes, which are indicated through the PUCCH-Config information unit and Downlink Control Information (DCI) format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If PUCCH format 3 is used to transmit HARQ feedback, then the transmission structure is simple and easy to implement, but it can only support up to 8 component carriers and cannot handle 32 CCs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier aggregation capabilityVSAvoidPUCCH transmission structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ feedback transmission by dividing 32 component carriers into multiple groups, with each group transmitted on separate PUCCH resources. This allows the system to handle more carriers by breaking down the complex feedback into manageable segments, resolving the contradiction between supporting more carriers and maintaining simple transmission structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to PUCCH transmission by utilizing multiple PUCCH groups and associations with different downlink carriers. This dimensional expansion allows the system to support 32 component carriers by distributing feedback across multiple transmission dimensions rather than overloading a single PUCCH format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the number of component carriers is increased to 32, then the transmission bandwidth and speed are improved, but the PUCCH resource allocation becomes more complex and resource-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidPUCCH resource blocks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes PUCCH resources multi-functional by allowing the same PUCCH group to serve multiple downlink component carriers through association relationships. This universality reduces the total quantity of PUCCH resource blocks needed while supporting 32 component carriers, resolving the contradiction between increased transmission capacity and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple downlink component carriers with a single PUCCH group for feedback transmission. By combining the resource requirements of multiple carriers into shared PUCCH resources, the system achieves high transmission speed with reduced overall resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional PUCCH format 3 is used, then the implementation is straightforward, but it cannot simultaneously transmit HARQ feedback for 32 downlink CCs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHARQ feedback coverageVSAvoidPUCCH configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration of PUCCH groups and their associations with downlink component carriers. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different carrier aggregation scenarios while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through standardized procedures and signaling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses PUCCH group associations as an intermediary mechanism to link uplink PUCCH resources with downlink component carriers. This intermediary structure simplifies the configuration process by providing a systematic way to manage the relationships between 32 downlink CCs and their corresponding feedback resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3282791B1Pucch resource allocation method in carrier aggregation and equipments thereof

Publication Date: 2023.10.25 SHARP KK

Figure 1
Figure 2~3

AI summary

Provided are a PUCCH resource configuration method in carrier aggregation and equipments thereof. According to one implementation, provided is a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource configuration method executed by a base station, including: configuring PUCCH resources comprising a first parameter and a second parameter for a first antenna port, wherein the first parameter indicates PUCCH resource values allocated to the first antenna port, and the second parameter indicates the number of continuous PRBs for PUCCH resources which are allocated to the first antenna port; and sending the PUCCH resource configuration to user equipment. Also provided are a corresponding method executed by user equipment, a base station equipment and the user equipment. According to the above PUCCH resource configuration method of the present invention, a new PUCCH format 3a is transmitted via a plurality of continuous PRBs, information of Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request (HARQ) feedback of 32 Component Carriers (CCs) at most can be contained, and a current problem of a small PUCCH transmission load is solved.