PUCCH Format Adaptation for Large UCI Payloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting large payloads of Uplink Control Information (UCI) in scenarios involving DL CC aggregation and CoMP, where the existing PUCCH structures are inadequate to support increased CSI payloads, leading to substantial UL overhead and resource management issues.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using different channel structures for UCI transmission based on payload size, employing QPSK modulation, inverse Fourier transforms, and optimizing the PUCCH format to accommodate larger payloads by utilizing the PUSCH structure, allowing for flexible multiplexing and resource management, such as Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) across multiple UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing PUCCH structures are used to transmit UCI, then the transmission format is simple and fixed, but the payload size is limited and cannot support increased CSI payloads in DL CC aggregation and CoMP scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the PUCCH format flexible and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically selects between different PUCCH formats (1, 2, 3, 4) based on the UCI payload size and channel conditions. This allows the channel structure to adapt its complexity - using simpler formats for small payloads and more complex formats for large payloads, thereby resolving the contradiction between payload capacity and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing PUCCH formats that can handle multiple types of UCI payloads (small and large) and support both periodic and aperiodic transmissions. The enhanced PUCCH formats (3 and 4) serve multiple functions: they can transmit large CSI payloads, support multiple UEs through multiplexing, and accommodate different modulation schemes, thereby providing a universal solution that eliminates the need for separate dedicated channels for different payload sizes.
2Quantity of substance
If PUCCH resources are increased to support larger UCI payloads, then the payload capacity improves, but the UL overhead and resource management issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the UCI transmission into different formats based on payload size. Instead of allocating excessive resources for all transmissions, the system segments transmissions into small payload cases (using formats 1 or 2 with minimal resources) and large payload cases (using formats 3 or 4 with expanded resources). This segmentation ensures that resources are only expanded when necessary, minimizing overall UL overhead while maintaining adequate payload capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting PUCCH transmission parameters including format selection, modulation scheme (QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM), coding rate, and resource block allocation based on the actual UCI payload size and channel conditions. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize resource usage for each transmission, preventing unnecessary overhead while ensuring sufficient payload capacity when needed.
3Productivity
If multiple UEs transmit UCI simultaneously on PUCCH, then the system capacity increases, but the resource management and interference coordination become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing frequency-domain multiplexing as an additional dimension for separating UE transmissions. Beyond time-division and code-division multiplexing, the system uses frequency-division multiplexing where different UEs are assigned different frequency resources (resource blocks) for PUCCH transmission. This adds a spatial frequency dimension to resource management, enabling more UEs to transmit simultaneously with reduced interference and more manageable resource coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the base station as an intermediary that centrally manages and coordinates PUCCH resource allocation across multiple UEs. The base station receives buffer status reports from UEs, determines appropriate PUCCH formats and resource allocations, and sends scheduling decisions back to UEs. This intermediary control mechanism simplifies multi-UE resource management by centralizing the complexity at the base station rather than requiring distributed coordination between UEs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed PUCCH formats are used for all transmissions, then the implementation is simple and consistent, but the flexibility to adapt to different payload sizes and channel conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from static fixed formats to dynamic adaptive format selection. The system continuously monitors channel conditions, payload size, and buffer status reports to dynamically select the most appropriate PUCCH format for each transmission. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize performance for varying conditions while the underlying format definitions remain standardized, balancing flexibility with implementation consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing flexible adjustment of key transmission parameters including modulation order (2, 4, or 6 bits per symbol), coding rate, resource block allocation, and format type based on actual transmission requirements. These parameter changes are governed by standardized rules and base station configurations, providing adaptability without requiring complex custom configurations for each scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively supports larger UCI payloads, reduces UL overhead, and efficiently manages PUCCH and PUSCH resources, enhancing communication system performance, especially in CoMP and DL CC aggregation scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
modulating the UCI by using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK)
Implementation Method 2
performing an inverse Fourier transform (IFT) operation on the modulated UCI
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting Uplink Control Information (UCI) over a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH) in a communication system. A method includes acquiring, by a user equipment (UE), from a base station, information for a PUCCH format; generating, by the UE, UCI to be transmitted; modulating, by the UE, the UCI by using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK); performing, by the UE, an inverse Fourier transform (IFT) operation on the modulated UCI; and transmitting, by the UE, the inverse Fourier transformed UCI on the PUCCH format by using last n symbols in a slot for transmission of the PUCCH format. A number of the last n symbols is smaller than a total number of symbols in the slot for transmission of the PUCCH format.