Carrier Aggregation Configuration for TDD-FDD Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in managing network resources effectively to minimize interruptions in high-priority transmissions while conserving resources for lower-priority transmissions, often leading to unnecessary resource allocation or interruptions in interruption-intolerant communications.

Innovation Solution

The system employs carrier aggregation using a TDD carrier for interruption-tolerant uplink transmissions and an FDD carrier for interruption-intolerant downlink transmissions, optimizing resource allocation based on the type of content being transmitted to reduce interruptions and conserve network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carrier aggregation is used with both TDD and FDD carriers, then network resource utilization improves, but interruption management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidinterruption management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the carrier aggregation system by direction: FDD carriers are assigned exclusively for downlink transmissions while TDD carriers are assigned exclusively for uplink transmissions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each direction's interruption management without interfering with the other, resolving the complexity of managing interruptions across mixed TDD-FDD carrier aggregates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring the carrier configuration to the specific requirements of each transmission direction. Downlink transmissions (typically more interruption-intolerant) use FDD carriers with their inherent simultaneous uplink/downlink capability, while uplink transmissions (typically more interruption-tolerant) use TDD carriers with their time-division structure. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by matching carrier characteristics to transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If FDD carrier is used for downlink communication, then interruption-intolerant transmissions are protected, but network resources are not conserved for uplink transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterruption-intolerant transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the carrier usage by direction: FDD carriers are dedicated to downlink while TDD carriers are dedicated to uplink. This segmentation allows the system to use the more resource-efficient TDD carrier for uplink transmissions (conserving network resources) while using FDD carriers for downlink transmissions where reliability is paramount, thus resolving both concerns simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If TDD carrier is used for uplink communication, then network resources are conserved, but interruption-tolerant transmissions may experience interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource conservationVSAvoidinterruption-tolerant transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by matching carrier types to transmission directions based on their inherent characteristics. TDD carriers with their time-division structure and resource efficiency are assigned to uplink transmissions that are typically more interruption-tolerant, while FDD carriers are assigned to downlink transmissions requiring higher reliability. This localized matching resolves the contradiction by ensuring each transmission type uses the most appropriate carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If carrier aggregation configures are used without direction-specific optimization, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier aggregation configuration simplicityVSAvoidtransmission interruption rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a segmented carrier aggregation configuration where FDD carriers are reserved for downlink and TDD carriers are reserved for uplink. This segmentation provides direction-specific optimization that reduces transmissions interruptions while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through clear, rule-based carrier assignment rather than complex dynamic configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9800392B1Selecting between TDD-FDD carrier aggregation approaches based on type of communication

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 SPRINT SPECTRUM LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are a methods and systems for selecting a carrier aggregation approach. In particular, a wireless communication system includes a base station configured to serve a UE with carrier aggregation service on a TDD carrier and an FDD carrier. Accordingly, the system determines a type of content that will be transmitted between the base station and the UE and, based on the type of content, the system selects an approach for serving the UE with the carrier aggregation service. This selection is between the base station (i) carrying out uplink communication using only the TDD carrier and carrying out downlink communication using only the FDD carrier and (ii) carrying out downlink communication using only the TDD carrier and carrying out uplink communication using only the FDD carrier. Based on the selecting, the system configures the base station to serve the UE with the carrier aggregation service using the selected approach.