Uplink Control Channel Tone Mapping for Flexible PUCCH

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly those using the 5G new radio standard, face challenges in efficiently managing uplink control channels due to the need for accommodating both single symbol and multiple symbol PUCCH transmissions, which is not adequately supported by existing designs.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of new tone mapping patterns for the uplink control channel (PUCCH) that allow for single symbol and multiple symbol transmissions, enabling flexible resource allocation across time and frequency domains, including subband localized, subband distributed, and wideband distributed patterns, to optimize PUCCH scheduling and reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing PUCCH designs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different transmission scenarios (single symbol and multiple symbol) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to single symbol and multiple symbol transmissionsVSAvoidPUCCH design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PUCCH transmission by enabling the system to switch between single-symbol and multi-symbol formats based on scheduling requirements. The UE determines the PUCCH format dynamically through received downlink assignments, allowing adaptation to varying transmission needs without fixed structural constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal PUCCH design that handles both single-symbol and multi-symbol transmissions through a unified framework. The same PUCCH resources and procedures are used across different formats, with the format itself being adaptable rather than requiring separate dedicated designs for each scenario.

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

2Productivity

If flexible resource allocation is implemented, then spectral efficiency is improved, but interference management becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidinterference in uplink transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different PUCCH formats to different frequency resources and time slots based on local interference conditions. Subband-based frequency hopping and localized tone assignments allow the system to optimize transmission quality in specific frequency regions while managing interference locally rather than uniformly across the entire spectrum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic frequency hopping for PUCCH transmissions, where the UE periodically changes frequency assignments according to predefined patterns. This periodic action distributes interference over time and frequency, preventing sustained interference in any single resource while maintaining overall spectral efficiency through structured resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3533170B1New design for an uplink control channel
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3533170B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3533170B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3533170B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A new design for an uplink control channel is provided. A User Equipment (UE) determines, based on a tone mapping pattern from a plurality of tone mapping patterns for an uplink control channel, resources for transmitting the uplink control channel, and transmits the uplink control channel using the determined resources. A Base Station (BS) determines a tone mapping pattern from a plurality of tone mapping patterns for an uplink control channel, and transmits information regarding the determined tone mapping pattern to at least one UE. The BS receives the uplink control channel based on the tone mapping pattern.