Relay Station Control Signal Transmission via PUCCH Resource Segmentation

The patent divides the uplink control channel resources into separate segments: one segment for user equipment and another segment for relay stations. This is achieved by allocating different physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource indices to relay stations, which are distinct from those used by user equipment. The segmentation allows both types of devices to transmit control signals simultaneously without interference, resolving the contradiction between relay station transmission efficiency and prevention of interference with user equipment.

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring dedicated PUCCH resource indices for relay stations through higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) before actual control signal transmission occurs. This advance allocation establishes clear resource boundaries between relay stations and user equipment, preventing interference without requiring complex real-time resource management. The base station prepares and assigns specific resource indices to relay stations in advance, simplifying the overall resource allocation mechanism while effectively preventing harmful interference.

The patent applies local quality by making resource allocation characteristics specific to the transmitting entity type. Relay stations are assigned dedicated PUCCH resource indices that are locally optimized for their needs, while user equipment continues to use the traditional resource allocation mechanism. This localized differentiation allows the system to adapt to relay station requirements without affecting legacy user equipment operations, maintaining backward compatibility while providing enhanced adaptability for relay stations through entity-specific resource characteristics.