Random Access ACK Signaling for Higher Uplink Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
The static configuration of radio resources for uplink channels in wireless communications systems reduces the potential uplink throughput data rate by making these resources unavailable for data transfer during the initial connection setup phase.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communications system that dynamically allocates uplink resources by using an acknowledgement control marker in system information broadcast by the base station, allowing the user device to transmit acknowledgement signals either on a reserved uplink control channel or via an uplink grant, depending on the marker's setting, thereby freeing up resources for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reserved uplink control channel with statically allocated radio resources is used for transmitting acknowledgement signals during random access procedure, then the reliability of connection establishment is improved, but the uplink throughput data rate deteriorates due to reduced available resources for data transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the uplink resource allocation flexible rather than static. The base station dynamically decides whether to allocate additional uplink resources for acknowledgement signals based on current system conditions, and the user equipment adapts its transmission behavior according to received indications. This allows the system to optimize the balance between connection reliability and resource availability for data transfer in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of resource allocation from fixed to variable. By introducing configurable parameters such as the indication flag in the random access response and the flexible resource allocation mechanisms, the system can adjust the amount of resources dedicated to acknowledgement signals based on traffic conditions, user density, and other factors, thereby optimizing overall system performance.
2Ease of operation
If statically allocated radio resources are reserved for uplink control channel, then the ease of operation for acknowledgement transmission is improved, but the quantity of available resources for data transfer deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes uplink resources multi-functional by allowing the same resources to serve both control purposes (acknowledgement transmission) and data transfer purposes. Through mechanisms like piggybacking acknowledgements on uplink data transmissions or using dynamically allocated resources that can be repurposed, the system eliminates the need for dedicated static resources, thereby increasing the overall quantity of resources available for productive data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control channel and data channel functions by allowing acknowledgement signals to be transmitted combined with data transmissions when possible. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate dedicated resources for acknowledgements, effectively increasing the pool of resources available for data transfer while maintaining reliable acknowledgement delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
In a wireless communications system comprising a user device and a base station, the base station periodically broadcasts system information which is used by the user device in a random access procedure to connect to the base station. The base station grants uplink resource to the user device for sending a connection request message. In response to the connection request message, the base station transmits a contention resolution message, which the user device must acknowledge. The system information periodically broadcast by the base station comprises an acknowledgement control marker defining whether the acknowledgement is to be sent on a reserved uplink control channel using second uplink resource or via first uplink resource allocated to the user device in the uplink grant for the connection request message.