PUCCH Resource Determination via E-PDCCH CCE Index Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-A systems, determining a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resource for Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback from user equipment to Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is challenging, especially with the introduction of Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (E-PDCCH), where existing methods rely on Control Channel Element (CCE) scheduling but lack efficient mechanisms for resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

A method and user equipment configuration that acquire an index value for a CCE scheduled in E-PDCCH and determine the PUCCH resource using a reference value, either provided by the base station or calculated by the user equipment, to transmit HARQ feedback to PDSCH, using formulas such as nPUCCH = neCCE + NPUCCH or nPUCCH = neCCE + Nadd + NPUCCH, where NPUCCH represents a reference value and Nadd an offset.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If PUCCH resource determination is based on CCE scheduling in E-PDCCH, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a reference value parameter (NPUCCH or Nadd) that shifts the PUCCH resource index based on the CCE index. This parameter adjustment mechanism allows the system to adapt PUCCH resource allocation to E-PDCCH scheduling while maintaining a consistent determination formula, thereby resolving the contradiction between scheduling flexibility and allocation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal PUCCH resource determination method that works for both traditional PDCCH and enhanced E-PDCCH scheduling. By using a unified formula (nPUCCH = neCCE + NPUCCH) that accommodates different scheduling scenarios through parameter adjustment, the system achieves multi-functionality without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If PUCCH resource is determined using CCE index from E-PDCCH, then HARQ feedback accuracy is improved, but calculation burden on user equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ feedback accuracyVSAvoidcalculation burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces calculation burden by transforming a potentially complex resource determination process into a simple linear formula (nPUCCH = neCCE + NPUCCH). The reference value parameter NPUCCH encapsulates complex offset calculations, allowing user equipment to determine PUCCH resources through straightforward addition rather than complex computations, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional PDCCH resources are insufficient, then scheduling capacity is improved, but resource determination reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling capacityVSAvoidresource determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference value parameter (NPUCCH or Nadd) as an intermediary that mediates between the CCE index and the final PUCCH resource index. This intermediary parameter ensures reliable resource determination by providing a consistent offset mechanism that works regardless of whether scheduling is done through traditional PDCCH or enhanced E-PDCCH, thereby maintaining reliability while expanding scheduling capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration of the reference value parameter NPUCCH through higher-layer signaling before actual PUCCH resource determination is needed. This preliminary action ensures that the offset parameter is pre-established and validated, guaranteeing reliable resource determination when E-PDCCH scheduling is employed to expand capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2777350B1Method for determining/facilitating the determination of pucch resource and apparatus thereof
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2777350B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2777350B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2777350B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for determining a Physical Uplink Control Channel PUCCH resource for a user equipment and a corresponding user equipment, and a method for facilitating the determination of a PUCCH resource for a user equipment and a corresponding base station, wherein the PUCCH resource is used to transmit a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request HARQ feed back (ACK or NACK) of the user eq u i pment with respect to its corresponding Physical Downlink Shared Channel PDSCH. In the present invention, an index value for a Control Channel Element CCE scheduled for the user equipment in an Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel E-PDCCH is firstly acquired, and then based on the index value and a first parameter, the PUCCH resource used to transmit the HARQ feedback of the user equipment with respect to its corresponding PDSCH is determined, the first parameter representing a reference value that should be used when determining the PUCCH resource used to transmit the HARQ feedback of the user equipment with respect to its corresponding PDSCH, if scheduling the CCE for the user equipment in the E-PDCCH.