Secondary Scheduling Request Transmission in Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In carrier aggregation systems, handling multiple Physical Uplink Control Channels (PUCCH) for scheduling requests is inefficient, as existing methods either rely solely on the primary cell or require complex configurations to distribute the burden across primary and secondary cells.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment can transmit scheduling requests using both the primary cell and multiple secondary cells' PUCCH, counting these transmissions together to optimize resource allocation and enable flexible scheduling, with the option to activate secondary cells for monitoring and grant identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If scheduling requests are transmitted only on the primary cell PUCCH, then the system is simple to manage, but the primary cell becomes overloaded and resource utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PUCCH transmission function by allowing scheduling requests to be transmitted on both the primary cell and secondary cells. This divides the previously concentrated load on the primary cell into distributed transmissions across multiple cells, improving resource utilization while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to PUCCH transmission by introducing secondary cell PUCCH as an additional transmission path. This transforms the single-dimension (primary cell only) system into a multi-dimensional system where scheduling requests can be transmitted across multiple spatial dimensions (cells), thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple secondary cells are activated for PUCCH transmission, then resource utilization improves, but the UE power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic SCell activation and deactivation based on scheduling request transmission needs. The UE activates secondary cells only when scheduling requests need to be transmitted and deactivates them when not needed, creating a dynamic system that adapts to traffic conditions. This allows the system to achieve high carrier aggregation utilization during active periods while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
3Reliability
If scheduling requests are distributed across multiple PUCCH channels, then the burden on the primary cell is reduced, but the complexity of managing multiple PUCCH increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universal management procedures for PUCCH transmission across both primary and secondary cells. The same scheduling request transmission mechanisms, resource allocation procedures, and acknowledgment handling are used regardless of which cell transmits the request. This multi-functional approach allows the system to distribute load across multiple cells while maintaining consistent, manageable complexity through standardized protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention addresses method, apparatus and computer program product for handling of secondary scheduling request in carrier aggregation. Thereby, a message comprising a request of radio resources for uplink transmission from the user equipment to a base station is composed, it is determined whether the user equipment is in a carrier aggregation mode in which two or more carriers are aggregated forming one primary cell and at least one secondary cell, the primary cell and at least one secondary cell supporting physical uplink control channel, the message is assigned to a physical uplink control channel, wherein assigning is permitted to the physical uplink control channel of the primary cell and a physical uplink control channel of any of the at least one secondary cell, and transmission of the message is caused using the assigned physical uplink control channel.