PUCCH Group Exchange for Carrier Aggregation Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks using carrier aggregation, the failure of a primary PCell disrupts communication, causing delays and interruptions, as secondary cells without PUCCH are not configured to handle primary duties.
Innovation Solution
Configuring multiple PUCCH groups, with a primary and secondary group, allowing automatic or network-initiated exchange of these groups in case of primary group failure, where the secondary group with PUCCH becomes the new primary, ensuring continuous communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single PCell carries the PUCCH in carrier aggregation, then the device complexity is reduced and configuration is simplified, but the reliability of communication is worsened because all communication stops when the PCell fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the PUCCH resources into multiple groups (first PUCCH group and second PUCCH group), each associated with different serving cells. This segmentation allows the system to distribute PUCCH carrying functions across multiple cells, so that when one PCell fails, the other PUCCH group can take over and maintain communication continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures multiple PUCCH groups and establishes backup arrangements before failure occurs. The network device and UE have predetermined procedures for switching between PUCCH groups, enabling rapid failover without requiring complex real-time decision-making when failure occurs.
2Reliability
If secondary cells are configured without PUCCH to simplify configuration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is worsened because they cannot handle primary duties when PCell fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the second PUCCH group with an SCell that is equipped with PUCCH resources, making it capable of performing primary PUCCH functions. This multi-functionality allows the SCell to serve as a backup PCell, taking over PUCCH carrying duties when the original PCell fails, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing configuration complexity.
3Reliability
If the UE performs re-establishment procedure when PCell fails, then the reliability is improved by re-connecting to the network, but the loss of time increases due to communication interruption and delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures backup PUCCH groups and establishes switching procedures before failure occurs. When PCell failure is detected, the UE can immediately switch to the second PUCCH group using predetermined procedures, avoiding the need for time-consuming re-establishment and reducing communication delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between PUCCH groups based on the operational status of serving cells. The system can adaptively transition from the first PUCCH group to the second PUCCH group when failure occurs, enabling rapid response and minimizing interruption time while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication is executed (S31) between a user equipment and a communication network based on carrier aggregation using a first group of at least two PUCCH groups, the first group comprising a primary serving cell that carries a first PUCCH, and first serving cells which use the first PUCCH, and a second group of the at least two PUCCH groups, the second group comprising a secondary serving cell that carries a second PUCCH, and second serving cells which use the second PUCCH. In case a predetermined condition occurs (S32), the communication is continued (S33) by exchanging the first group by the second group wherein the secondary serving cell that carries the second PUCCH becomes the primary serving cell and vice versa.