PUCCH Reference Cell Configuration for Carrier Aggregation Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP Release 13's enhanced Carrier Aggregation (eCA) technology, the existing methods for configuring Physical Uplink Control Channels (PUCCH) on Secondary Cells (SCells) are inefficient, leading to challenges in load balancing and optimal UCI transmission across multiple carriers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves flexible configuration of PUCCH reference cells by the base station, allowing for different PUCCH reference cells to be chosen based on cell loads, enabling UCI transmission on corresponding PUCCHs, thereby achieving load balance between multiple PUCCHs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If PUCCH is configured only on PCell in R10/11 CA, then device complexity is reduced, but UCI transmission efficiency deteriorates as all SCell UCI must be carried by PCell PUCCH
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the UCI transmission function across multiple PUCCH resources associated with different serving cells. Instead of concentrating all UCI on a single PCell PUCCH, the system segments UCI transmission by allowing SCells to have their own PUCCH resources, thereby distributing the transmission load and improving efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through structured resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for PUCCH resource allocation by associating PUCCH resources with SCells in addition to PCell. This multi-dimensional resource allocation approach allows UCI to be transmitted through multiple paths (PCell PUCCH and SCell PUCCH), transforming the single-dimension bottleneck into a multi-dimensional transmission system that improves overall efficiency.
2Productivity
If the number of supported carriers is increased to 32 in eCA, then system resource utilization rate improves, but PUCCH load balancing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large number of carriers into groups where PUCCH resources are distributed across multiple serving cells. Instead of managing PUCCH for all 32 carriers through a single PCell, the system divides carriers into PCell and SCell groups, each with their own PUCCH resources, thereby segmenting the load management complexity while maintaining high resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic PUCCH resource allocation where the network can flexibly configure and adjust PUCCH resources for different SCells based on current system conditions and load requirements. This dynamic configuration capability allows the system to adapt to varying traffic patterns across 32 carriers, maintaining load balance through real-time resource adjustment rather than static allocation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If PUCCH is configured on SCells in eCA, then UCI transmission flexibility improves, but determining which SCell PUCCH to use for carrying UCI becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring PUCCH resources and associations during the cell setup phase. The network预先 establishes which SCells have PUCCH resources and defines the association relationships between SCells and their corresponding PUCCH resources. This preliminary configuration simplifies subsequent UCI transmission operations, as the UE can directly use the pre-defined associations without complex real-time selection decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the concept of PUCCH resource associations as an intermediary layer between SCells and PUCCH resources. Instead of directly mapping each SCell to multiple possible PUCCH options requiring complex selection, the association mechanism acts as an intermediary that pre-establishes the mapping relationships, thereby simplifying the selection process while maintaining flexibility through configurable associations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided in the present invention is a method, base station, and user equipment for configuring a serving cell group. The method includes: a base station transmitting serving cell group configuration information to a user equipment having carrier aggregation capability, where the serving cell group configuration information indicates a reference cell used for transmitting uplink control information of a serving cell. The present invention allows the base station to flexibly configure multiple PUCCH reference cells and to configure different PUCCH reference cells on the basis of different cell loads.