Relay Control Channel Resource Allocation in LTE-Advanced

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 3GPP LTE-Advanced communication system lacks methods for efficient resource allocation and transmission of control information and system information for relay nodes, which is essential for supporting broadband communications up to 100 MHz bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

The system introduces methods for an eNodeB to allocate resources for transmitting control information and system information to relay nodes, using time division multiplexing between R-PDCCH and R-PDSCH to reduce decoding latency and ensure reliable communication, allowing relay nodes to accurately detect control and system information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If resource allocation methods for relay nodes are not established in LTE-A, then system complexity remains low, but control information transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the PDCCH to serve dual functions: transmitting control information for both conventional user equipment and relay nodes. The eNodeB transmits R-PDCCH (relay physical downlink control channel) that can be received by both relay nodes and conventional UEs, allowing the same physical channel to fulfill multiple roles without requiring separate dedicated channels for relay nodes, thus improving transmission efficiency while avoiding additional system complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control information transmission by introducing specific resource allocation mechanisms for relay nodes within the existing PDCCH framework. It divides the control resource space by allocating specific PDCCH resources (R-PDCCH) for relay nodes while maintaining separate resource allocation for conventional UEs, allowing efficient targeted transmission without overwhelming system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If time division multiplexing is used between R-PDCCH and R-PDSCH, then decoding latency is reduced, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding latencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through time division multiplexing where R-PDCCH and R-PDSCH are transmitted in alternating time slots. The control channel R-PDCCH is transmitted in specific subframes followed by data channels R-PDSCH in subsequent subframes, creating a periodic pattern that reduces decoding latency by ensuring control information is available before data transmission, while the periodic nature simplifies resource management compared to ad-hoc allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting R-PDCCH control information in advance before the corresponding R-PDSCH data transmission. The eNodeB sends control information including resource allocation, modulation, and coding parameters in the R-PDCCH phase, allowing relay nodes to prepare their reception and decoding processes beforehand, thereby reducing actual decoding latency while maintaining organized resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If relay nodes use conventional PDCCH for control information, then channel compatibility is maintained, but relay node detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay node detection accuracyVSAvoidchannel differentiation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the control channel characteristics specifically for relay nodes while maintaining overall PDCCH structure compatibility. It introduces R-PDCCH with relay-node-specific resource allocation patterns, reference signal configurations, and decoding parameters that optimize detection accuracy for relay nodes, while the fundamental PDCCH structure remains compatible with existing LTE infrastructure, avoiding need for completely new channel designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2461503B1Apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information and system information for repeaters and method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2461503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2461503B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2461503B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information and system information for repeaters and a method thereof. According to the present invention, a base station apparatus is provided for transmitting control information for repeaters, wherein a transmitter transmits, to each repeater, interleaving mode information and information on resource areas in which R-PDCCHs (Relay-Physical Downlink Control Channel) of each repeater are allocated. The information on the resource areas includes the control information for each repeater, and the interleaving mode information is related to the interleaving modes which are applied to the R-PDCCHs that are allocated to each repeater. Furthermore, a processor performs a control operation so that among the R-PDCCHs of each repeater, and R-PDCCH of a first repeater can be allocated with an R-PDCCH of another repeater at a first interleaving mode in a first resource area and an R-PDCCH of a second repeater can be allocated at a second interleaving mode in a second resource area.