Terminal Device PUCCH Format Allocation for Multi-Cell Uplink Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio communication systems lack an efficient method for transmitting uplink control information in LTE networks, particularly in scenarios involving multiple serving cells and secondary cells.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of specific PUCCH formats and resource allocation strategies in terminal and base station devices, allowing for efficient transmission of uplink control information by utilizing different PUCCH formats and resources based on serving cell configurations and transmission modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple serving cells are configured for simultaneous transmission and reception, then communication capacity and data throughput are improved, but uplink control information transmission becomes inefficient and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoiduplink control information transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments uplink control information into different types (HARQ-ACK, CSI, SR) and assigns them to different PUCCH formats and resources. This segmentation allows efficient handling of multiple control information types simultaneously across multiple serving cells, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining high communication capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If more than five serving cells are configured, then network coverage and service capability are expanded, but concrete transmission methods for uplink control information are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidtransmission method
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a universal PUCCH resource allocation framework that works across any number of serving cells (beyond the traditional five-cell limit). The method provides multi-functional capabilities by supporting different PUCCH formats (1, 1a, 1b, 2, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5) and resource types (dedicated, common, shared) that can be flexibly applied to expand network coverage while maintaining manageable transmission complexity.

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

3Productivity

If different PUCCH formats are used for different serving cells, then transmission efficiency is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning specific PUCCH formats and resources to specific serving cells or cell groups based on their individual characteristics and control information requirements. This allows optimized transmission efficiency for each cell while the base station maintains centralized control over resource allocation, balancing local optimization with global management to prevent resource allocation complexity from becoming unmanageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3291623B1Terminal device, base station device, communication method, and integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SHARP KK
  • EP3291623B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291623B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291623B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a terminal device including a transmission unit configured to transmit a HARQ-ACK using a first PUCCH resource and a PUCCH format (3) with respect to PDSCH transmission on a secondary cell having a cell index less than or equal to a first predetermined value, and transmit a HARQ-ACK by using a second PUCCH resource and a PUCCH format (4) with respect to PDSCH transmission on a secondary cell having a cell index greater than the first predetermined value. The first predetermined value may be the value of a fourth cell index when arranging the values of the cell indices set by a base station device in ascending order.