TM9 Carrier Aggregation for 8-Stream TD-LTE-A Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current carrier aggregation (CA) systems for TD-LTE-A cells using transmission mode 9 (TM9) are limited to single or dual-stream transmission due to UE antenna constraints, preventing support for 8 DL ports, which restricts data transmission rates.

Innovation Solution

A TM9-based CA method that determines the transmission mode (TM) for component carriers (CCs) based on UE capabilities and channel conditions, allowing for up to 8 DL streams by configuring CCs as codebook or non-codebook TM9, and adapting between TM9 and TM3 based on RSRP and SINR thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the CA system uses TM9 with 8 DL ports configuration, then the data transmission rate is improved, but the UE antenna constraint prevents support for 8 streams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidstream support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the 8 DL ports into multiple component carriers (CCs) where each CC is configured with TM9 but supports only limited streams (1-4 streams per CC). This segmentation allows the system to achieve 8 DL ports aggregate capacity while respecting the UE's antenna constraints for individual carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-carrier 8-stream architecture to a multi-carrier architecture where stream capacity is distributed across multiple frequency dimensions. By using carrier aggregation, the system achieves 8 DL ports through spatial-frequency dimensionality rather than pure spatial multiplexing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network side device configures codebook TM9 for SCC, then the transmission flexibility is improved, but the UE capability requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission flexibilityVSAvoidUE capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies codebook TM9 with adaptive stream configuration where the network can partially activate streams based on UE capability and channel conditions. For SCC, the system configures codebook TM9 but may limit active streams to 1-2 for UEs with antenna constraints, while allowing up to 4 streams for capable UEs, thus achieving flexibility without requiring full 8-stream UE capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the network side device adapts TM between TM9 and TM3 based on RSRP and SINR, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback-based transmission mode adaptation where the network side device monitors RSRP and SINR measurements and dynamically switches between TM9 and TM3 based on channel quality thresholds. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable transmission by selecting appropriate TM based on real-time channel conditions while automating the decision process to manage control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3203672B1Tm9-based carrier aggregation method and device
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3203672B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3203672B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3203672B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A TM9-based carrier aggregation (CA) method and device, wherein the method includes: a network side device determining a component carrier (CC) currently activated in a CA system; if a CC configured with TM9 exists in the currently activated CCs, the network side device determining a CC transmission mode (TM) for the CC configured with TM9; the network side device transmitting data to a UE according to the TM. An embodiment enables a CA cell to support CA of 8 downlink (DL) ports for TD-LTE-A cell using TM9, thus increasing user rate and improving user experience. The method increases checkpoints such as maximum supporting data streams and UE capability, thus increasing user throughput.