Relay Node HARQ Feedback Resource Allocation in LTE-A
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 3GPP LTE-A, the lack of specified resources for Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback transmission from a Relay Node (RN) to an evolved Node B (eNB) leads to collisions with User Equipment (UE) HARQ feedbacks, degrading communication performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an offset-based R-CCE indexing method and higher-layer signaling to differentiate and allocate specific PUCCH resources for RNs, preventing collisions with UE HARQ feedbacks by ensuring distinct resource allocation for RNs' HARQ acknowledgments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RN and UE transmit HARQ feedbacks on the same PUCCH resources, then resource utilization is improved, but HARQ feedback collisions occur degrading communication performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments PUCCH resources into distinct groups: one group for UE HARQ feedback and another group for RN HARQ feedback. This segmentation prevents collisions by ensuring that RNs and UEs transmit HARQ feedbacks on different physical resources, thereby maintaining both resource utilization efficiency and transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allocating specific PUCCH resource characteristics (such as orthogonal cover codes, frequency shifts, or time resources) that are locally optimized for RN transmissions. This allows RN HARQ feedback to be transmitted with quality comparable to UE feedback while using dedicated resources that prevent interference.
2Reliability
If dedicated PUCCH resources are allocated for RN HARQ feedback, then HARQ feedback collision is prevented, but resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes PUCCH resources universal by designing the dedicated RN PUCCH resources to be part of the overall uplink control channel framework. These resources can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on RN presence and traffic conditions, allowing the same resource pool to serve both UE and RN functions depending on configuration, thereby reducing overall resource overhead while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for transmitting/receiving control information in a wireless communication system. In a repeater according to the present invention, a receiving antenna can receive control information for a hybrid automatic repeat reQuest ACKnowledgement (HARQ ACK) feedback on the data transmission of a base station from the base station through higher layer signaling. On the basis of the control information, a processor can determine a resource in an upper link control channel to be used for the transmission of the HARQ feedback. A transmitting antenna can transmit the HARQ feedback to the base station through the resource that has been determined.