PUCCH Resource Segmentation for Multi-Carrier Uplink Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing PUCCH formats in LTE networks are insufficient to support the increased number of DL carriers, leading to capacity limitations in UL control channel transmission, which results in dropped or abandoned UL control information, affecting DL spectrum efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Configuring wireless devices with multiple PUCCH resource units associated with the number of DL aggregated carriers, enhancing the PUCCH capacity to support up to 32 or more carriers, while maintaining backward compatibility and low implementation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing PUCCH formats are used in LTE networks, then device complexity is kept low and backward compatibility is maintained, but PUCCH capacity is insufficient to support increased number of DL carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The PUCCH resources are segmented into multiple resource units, where each resource unit can be independently configured and allocated to specific component carriers. This segmentation allows the system to support a larger number of carriers by dividing the PUCCH capacity into manageable units rather than requiring a single large-capacity format.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing PUCCH capacity within the existing single-dimension format structure, the invention introduces a new dimension by configuring multiple PUCCH resource units with different parameters (such as different cyclic shifts, orthogonal cover codes, or resource blocks). This multi-dimensional resource allocation enables support for 32 or more carriers while maintaining compatibility with existing single-carrier configurations.
2Reliability
If existing PUCCH formats are used, then implementation complexity remains low, but UL control information is dropped or abandoned affecting DL spectrum efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of PUCCH resources by configuring multiple resource units with varying characteristics (cyclic shifts, orthogonal cover codes, resource block assignments). These parameter variations allow the system to adapt to different carrier configurations and traffic conditions, ensuring reliable UL control information transmission across multiple carriers without sacrificing DL spectrum efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple PUCCH resource units are configured for 32 or more carriers, then PUCCH capacity increases, but configuration and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PUCCH resource unit configuration is designed to be universal, where a single configuration template can be applied across multiple component carriers. The resource units can serve multiple functions - supporting both single-carrier and multi-carrier operations, and can be dynamically allocated based on traffic needs. This multi-functionality reduces the operational burden despite supporting 32 or more carriers.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method in a radio node (101) for configuring a wireless device (120). The radio node (101) and the wireless device (120) operate in a wireless communications network (100). The radio node (101) configures the wireless device (120) with a plurality of Physical Uplink Control Channel, PUCCH, resource units. The plurality of PUCCH resource units is associated with a number of downlink, DL, aggregated carriers.