Terminal Uplink Control Information Transmission via Dynamic Channel Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE systems face inefficiencies in transmitting uplink control information, particularly in managing simultaneous transmission of PUCCH and PUSCH, leading to potential collisions and suboptimal resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a terminal apparatus and base station apparatus that allow for efficient transmission and reception of uplink control information through advanced resource allocation and channel management, including the use of sPUCCH and sPUSCH, which enable flexible transmission time intervals and channel selection based on various parameters such as cell index, bandwidth, and coding rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If simultaneous transmission of PUCCH and PUSCH is not configured, then resource allocation complexity is reduced, but uplink control information transmission efficiency deteriorates due to potential collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoiduplink control information transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between PUCCH and sPUCCH transmission modes based on real-time resource availability and collision detection. The terminal device adapts its transmission strategy by selecting appropriate channels (PUCCH or sPUCCH) and timing based on current system conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplified resource allocation and transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes transmission parameters including TTI length (from 1ms to shorter intervals), resource allocation patterns, and channel selection based on detected collision conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains efficient uplink control information transmission while managing resource allocation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If TTI is shortened, then transmission time interval is reduced improving responsiveness, but processing time requirements increase creating timing conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission time intervalVSAvoidprocessing time management
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple uplink channels (PUCCH and sPUCCH) with different TTI characteristics before collision occurs. When a collision is detected, the terminal has already prepared alternative transmission paths, allowing immediate switching without complex real-time processing decisions, thus reducing effective transmission time while managing processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sPUCCH acts as an intermediary channel with shorter TTI characteristics that mediates between the need for rapid transmission and processing time requirements. It provides a buffer that allows the system to achieve shorter effective transmission intervals while maintaining adequate processing time for the main PUSCH transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If PUCCH collides with PUSCH at the same subframe, then resource utilization is simplified, but control information transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization managementVSAvoidcontrol information transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink control information transmission into multiple independent channels (PUCCH and sPUCCH) with different timing characteristics. When collision is detected, the terminal divides the control information and transmits it through the alternative sPUCCH channel, ensuring that control information reliability is maintained while keeping resource utilization management relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to prevent collision through complex resource allocation, the patent inverts the approach by detecting collisions and then switching to an alternative transmission channel (sPUCCH). This reverse strategy maintains simple resource utilization management while ensuring control information transmission reliability through the fallback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3451770B1Terminal device, base station device, and communication method
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 FG INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP3451770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451770B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The terminal apparatus 1 receives an uplink grant to be used for scheduling a PUSCH in the serving cell and an uplink grant to be used for scheduling a sPUSCH in the serving cell, transmits a periodic channel state information report using a PUCCH in the serving cell, transmits the periodic channel state information report using the PUSCH in a subframe in which the PUSCH is scheduled, and does not transmit the periodic channel state information report using the sPUSCH in a subframe in which the sPUSCH is scheduled. According to the present invention, the terminal apparatus 1 can efficiently transmit the uplink control information. Also, the base station apparatus 3 can efficiently receive the uplink control information.