Uplink Control Information Transmission via Spectrum Band Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting uplink control information (UCI) over component carriers, particularly in scenarios where a user equipment (UE) needs to communicate using both dedicated and shared radio frequency spectrum bands, with existing methods lacking an effective scheme to prioritize reliable spectrum usage.

Innovation Solution

A method is described where a UE determines a set of uplink component carriers (UL CCs) to use, including at least one in a dedicated and one in a shared radio frequency spectrum band, and selectively limits the transmission of aperiodic channel state information (CSI) to the dedicated band while allowing its transmission over the shared band, based on availability and type of information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a UE transmits UCI over both dedicated and shared radio frequency spectrum bands, then the capacity and coverage are enhanced, but the reliability of critical control information transmission is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidUCI transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UCI into different types (periodic CSI, aperiodic CSI, ACK/NACK, SR) and assigns them to different transmission paths based on their criticality. Periodic CSI is transmitted only over dedicated spectrum for high reliability, while aperiodic CSI can be transmitted over shared spectrum to utilize additional capacity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by ensuring critical information maintains reliability while non-critical information utilizes shared resources for enhanced capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transmission qualities to different UCI types based on their local requirements. Critical UCI (periodic CSI) receives high-quality dedicated spectrum transmission, while less critical UCI (aperiodic CSI) can use lower-quality shared spectrum transmission. This local quality differentiation allows the system to optimize overall performance by matching transmission quality to information criticality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a UE prioritizes dedicated spectrum for all UCI transmission, then the reliability is improved, but the efficiency and capacity utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUCI transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission path selection where the UE adaptively chooses between dedicated and shared spectrum based on real-time conditions including buffer status, channel quality, and UCI type. This dynamic approach allows the system to prioritize dedicated spectrum for critical information when needed while utilizing shared spectrum for non-critical information to maximize capacity utilization, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameters (spectrum band selection, modulation scheme, resource allocation) based on the UCI type and channel conditions. For periodic CSI, it maintains strict use of dedicated spectrum with high-reliability parameters, while for aperiodic CSI, it allows flexible parameter changes including use of shared spectrum with potentially lower overhead. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each transmission according to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a UE transmits all types of UCI over shared spectrum, then the capacity utilization is improved, but the measurement precision and reliability of control information deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum capacity utilizationVSAvoidcontrol information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UCI transmission into dedicated and shared spectrum paths based on information type. Periodic CSI, which requires high measurement precision for channel state feedback, is exclusively transmitted over dedicated spectrum. Aperiodic CSI, which can tolerate lower precision, is transmitted over shared spectrum to improve capacity utilization. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by matching transmission path precision requirements to information criticality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transmission qualities to different UCI types based on their local precision requirements. Critical control information (periodic CSI) receives high-quality dedicated spectrum transmission with robust modulation and coding, while less critical information (aperiodic CSI) uses lower-quality shared spectrum transmission to maximize capacity utilization. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between capacity utilization and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3205165B1Techniques for transmitting uplink control information for a component carrier
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3205165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3205165B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3205165B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are described for wireless communication. One method includes determining a set of uplink (UL) component carriers (CCs) to use for a user equipment (UE). The set of UL CCs may include at least one UL CC in a first radio frequency spectrum band and at least one UL CC in a second radio frequency spectrum band. The method further includes identifying, for a subframe, uplink control information (UCI) due for transmission, the UCI associated with one or more CCs, and limiting available UL CCs for transmission of the UCI to the at least one UL CC in the first radio frequency spectrum band.