TDD Wireless Signal Processing via Reference UL-DL Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in signal transmission and reception due to differing subframe configurations between primary and secondary cells, leading to restricted resource usage and impaired throughput performance.

Innovation Solution

A method is proposed where a user equipment (UE) receives a reference subframe configuration via system information and PDCCH, aligning transmission directions across all subframes for efficient signal processing, allowing for flexible resource allocation and improved traffic adaptation by prioritizing transmission directions based on a reference UL-DL configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different UL-DL configurations are used for PCell and SCell, then traffic adaptation flexibility is improved, but resource usage efficiency deteriorates due to direction mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic adaptation flexibilityVSAvoidresource usage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference UL-DL configuration as an intermediary that mediates between the PCell configuration and SCell configuration. This reference configuration acts as a coordination mechanism that resolves direction mismatches by providing a common reference frame, allowing the UE to determine when to stop communications in SCell based on the reference configuration rather than directly comparing PCell and SCell configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the configuration management into two independent parts: the PCell/SCell specific UL-DL configurations that provide traffic adaptation flexibility, and the reference UL-DL configuration that ensures resource usage efficiency. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If UL-DL configurations of PCell and SCell are aligned, then resource usage efficiency is improved, but traffic adaptation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource usage efficiencyVSAvoidtraffic adaptation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different UL-DL configurations at the local cell level (PCell and SCell can have different configurations for traffic adaptation) while maintaining global coordination through the reference configuration. This enables each cell to have optimized local characteristics while the system as a whole maintains efficiency through the reference configuration mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If reference UL-DL configuration is introduced, then signal transmission efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference UL-DL configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a coordination mechanism for direction alignment, a reference for determining when to stop communications, and a basis for calculating resource usage efficiency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving signal transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If direction matching between PCell and SCell is enforced, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but communication flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the reference UL-DL configuration adjustable and adaptable. The reference configuration can be dynamically selected or modified based on traffic conditions and system state, allowing the system to balance between resource allocation efficiency and communication flexibility depending on the operational context, rather than enforcing a static direction matching rule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3389209B1Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving signal in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3389209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3389209B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3389209B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for performing communication by a terminal in a TDD-based wireless communication system, and an apparatus therefor. The method comprises the steps of: configuring a PCell and an SCell, wherein the PCell and the SCell have different UL-DL configurations from each other; receiving information indicating a reference UL-DL configuration; and performing a signal processing operation according to a transmission direction indicated by the reference UL-DL configuration, in only a cell having the same transmission direction as the transmission direction indicated by the reference UL-DL configuration from among the PCell and the SCell, as for subframe #k1 in which transmission directions of the PCell and the SCell are different from each other.