UCI Mapping Indicator for LTE Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP standards do not specify how to multiplex ACK/NACK and CSI feedback for multiple DL component carriers onto a single UL component carrier in a carrier aggregation environment, making it challenging to efficiently manage uplink control signaling in LTE networks with asymmetric UL/DL CC configurations.
Innovation Solution
A semi-static UCI mapping bit is used to control the UE's transmission mode, allowing the base station to determine the appropriate UL component carrier for UCI transmission based on available bandwidth and reception quality, enabling efficient handling of UCI multiplexing across different UL CCs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple DL component carriers are aggregated to increase data rates, then the downlink throughput is improved, but the complexity of uplink control signaling management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink control signaling management by introducing a UCI mapping bit that divides the control information into separate transmission paths. This bit determines whether UCI is transmitted on PUCCH or multiplexed with PUSCH, creating distinct handling procedures for different control signaling scenarios and reducing overall management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control signaling management through the UCI mapping bit, which allows the system to adaptively switch between different transmission modes (PUCCH-only or PUCCH-PUSCH multiplexing) based on current channel conditions and traffic requirements, enabling flexible response to varying system states
2Reliability
If UCI is transmitted on separate PUCCH channel to ensure reliable control signaling, then the reliability of control information transmission is improved, but the uplink resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the UCI transmission path based on the UCI mapping bit value. When the bit indicates PUCCH-only transmission, reliability is prioritized through dedicated control channel resources. When the bit indicates multiplexing with PUSCH, resource efficiency is improved by sharing uplink resources. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between reliability and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter (UCI mapping bit) to control whether UCI is sent on separate PUCCH or multiplexed with PUSCH. This parameter change allows the system to transition between reliability-oriented and efficiency-oriented transmission modes, optimizing the trade-off based on current system conditions
3Productivity
If asymmetric UL/DL CC configuration is used to optimize network capacity, then the overall network capacity is improved, but the difficulty of UCI multiplexing management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UCI multiplexing management by introducing the UCI mapping bit that clearly delineates between PUCCH and PUSCH transmission paths. This segmentation provides a structured approach to managing UCI in asymmetric configurations, making the complex multiplexing operations more tractable and easier to implement
Solution Approach 2:
The UCI mapping bit acts as an intermediary that simplifies the management of UCI multiplexing in asymmetric configurations. It provides a clear control mechanism that mediates between the complex requirements of asymmetric UL/DL carrier aggregation and the simpler UCI transmission procedures, reducing the difficulty of management
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to instruct a user equipment (UE) how Uplink Control Information (UCI) on a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) should be transmitted with carrier aggregation. A semi-static signaling of a UCI mapping bit (via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) parameter) is used by a base station such as an eNodeB to require the UE to transmit UCI using one of two pre-determined UCI transmission modes. The bit can be decided by the base station, considering, for example, the available bandwidth or quality of different Uplink Component Carriers (UL CCs) associated with the UE. This network-based solution allows the network to either configure a general rule of UCI transmission by the UE or to enforce the UCI transmission on the Uplink Primary cell (UL Pcell). Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.