UE Aggregation for Uplink Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G New Radio (NR) wireless networks face challenges in efficiently coordinating uplink transmissions between user equipment (UEs) and base stations, particularly when assistant UEs are hidden from the base station, leading to increased signaling overhead and processing time due to the lack of efficient aggregation modes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of UE aggregation modes, where a target UE transmits configuration information to assistant UEs to decode downlink control information and prepare physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmissions, allowing for coordinated uplink processing and reduced overhead, with the base station activating aggregation modes using explicit or implicit indications like K2 values in DCI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional uplink transmission modes are used without UE aggregation, then the base station can independently control each UE transmission, but signaling overhead increases and processing time increases when assistant UEs are hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple UEs (target UE and assistant UEs) into an aggregated group that shares a single PUSCH transmission opportunity. The target UE transmits on behalf of both itself and hidden assistant UEs, combining multiple individual transmissions into one unified transmission event. This reduces the total processing time and signaling overhead compared to handling each UE separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The target UE acts as an intermediary between the base station and hidden assistant UEs. It receives downlink control information, decodes it, and prepares PUSCH transmissions for both itself and the hidden assistant UEs. This intermediary role eliminates the need for the base station to directly manage each hidden UE, reducing signaling overhead and processing complexity.
2Productivity
If traditional uplink transmission modes are used without UE aggregation, then each UE can be independently scheduled, but signaling overhead increases when assistant UEs are hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines scheduling information for multiple UEs into a single PDCCH transmission addressed to the target UE. Instead of sending separate scheduling signals to each UE and hidden assistant UE, the base station sends one unified scheduling signal that applies to the aggregated group, significantly reducing signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The target UE serves as an information relay, receiving downlink control information from the base station and using it to prepare PUSCH transmissions for both itself and hidden assistant UEs. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct base station-to-helper-UE signaling, reducing the signaling burden.
3Loss of time
If UE aggregation mode is implemented, then processing time is reduced and signaling overhead is lowered, but the system complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The target UE autonomously manages the aggregation process by independently decoding downlink control information, determining transmission parameters, and preparing PUSCH transmissions for itself and hidden assistant UEs. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex base station coordination and hidden UE signaling, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining efficiency benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for UE aggregation for uplink communications in wireless networks.