Secondary Cell Scheduling Request Management for PUCCH Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems using multiple cells face limitations in flexibility and efficiency, particularly in managing the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources, which can lead to increased load on the primary cell and impact overall communication performance.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a user equipment (UE) and an evolved Node B (eNB) that utilize RRC messages to manage scheduling requests on both primary and secondary cells, setting parameters for the maximum number of scheduling requests and activating/deactivating secondary cells to optimize PUCCH resource usage, allowing transmissions on either or both cells based on configured parameters and timers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If scheduling requests are transmitted only on the primary cell, then the primary cell can maintain simple PUCCH resource management, but the primary cell becomes overloaded and communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidPUCCH resource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PUCCH resource management by introducing a secondary cell that can independently handle scheduling requests. The secondary cell is divided into a separate PUCCH group, allowing scheduling requests to be segmented between primary and secondary cells based on configuration parameters, thereby distributing the load and improving overall communication efficiency without overwhelming the primary cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If multiple cells are used for communication, then communication capacity increases, but flexibility and efficiency in PUCCH resource management are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidPUCCH resource management flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability in PUCCH resource management by configuring parameters such as dsr-TransMax-SCell, sr-ProhibitTimer, and sr-SchedulingRequestIndicator that allow the system to dynamically adjust scheduling request behavior on secondary cells. This enables flexible adaptation to different communication scenarios while maintaining high communication capacity across multiple cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If scheduling request parameters are configured for secondary cells, then PUCCH resource distribution improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH resource distribution efficiencyVSAvoidparameter configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages complexity by introducing specific configurable parameters (dsr-TransMax-SCell, sr-ProhibitTimer, sr-SchedulingRequestIndicator) that control secondary cell scheduling behavior. These parameters allow fine-tuned control over PUCCH resource distribution while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized configuration mechanisms defined in the 3GPP protocol stack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3275264B1Systems and methods for a physical uplink control channel on a secondary cell
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 SHARP KK
  • EP3275264B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3275264B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3275264B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a

AI summary

A method by a user equipment (UE) is described. The method includes receiving, an evolved Node B (eNB) a RRC message including a parameter related to a SR periodicity for a secondary cell and a parameter related to a SR prohibit timer; and setting the SR prohibit timer based on the SR periodicity for the secondary cell. Setting the SR prohibit timer may be further based on the SR periodicity for the primary cell