Multiplexing Unicast Control Signaling in Multicast Broadcast TTIs
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to maximize bandwidth utilization in the uplink of communication systems employing time division multiplexing between unicast and multicast/broadcast communication modes, particularly during transmission time intervals when the base station transmits multicast/broadcast signaling, and to minimize the overhead of unicast control signaling in these modes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves multiplexing unicast control signaling for uplink scheduling assignments within transmission time intervals supporting multicast/broadcast communication, optimizing the placement of unicast control information and pilot signals to minimize latency and overhead, and potentially splitting symbols to dedicate resources efficiently between unicast and multicast/broadcast data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If time division multiplexing is used between unicast and multicast/broadcast communication modes, then bandwidth utilization can be optimized, but signaling overhead increases during multicast/broadcast transmission time intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines unicast control signaling with multicast/broadcast data transmission by multiplexing unicast control information into the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) resources allocated for multicast/broadcast services. This merging approach allows the system to transmit both unicast control signals and multicast/broadcast data within the same time-frequency resources, thereby optimizing bandwidth utilization while managing signaling overhead efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables multicast/broadcast transmission time intervals to serve dual purposes: delivering multicast/broadcast data to multiple users while simultaneously conveying unicast control signaling to specific users. This multi-functionality is achieved by allocating specific resource elements within the PDSCH for unicast control information, allowing the same transmission interval to fulfill multiple communication functions without requiring separate dedicated resources
2Productivity
If unicast control signaling is transmitted during multicast/broadcast TTIs, then uplink scheduling efficiency improves, but latency increases due to resource sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits unicast control signaling, including uplink scheduling assignments, at the beginning of multicast/broadcast transmission time intervals. This preliminary action ensures that users receive scheduling information early, allowing them to prepare and transmit uplink data without delay, thereby improving uplink scheduling efficiency while minimizing the impact on transmission latency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multicast/broadcast TTI structure by dedicating specific resource elements at the beginning of the interval for unicast control signaling, while the remaining resources are allocated for multicast/broadcast data transmission. This segmentation allows unicast control information to be delivered promptly without significantly impacting the overall transmission latency of multicast/broadcast services
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide methods for maximizing the bandwidth utilization in the uplink of a communication system supporting time division multiplexing between unicast and multicast/broadcast communication modes during transmission time intervals in the downlink of a communication system. This is accomplished by multiplexing at least unicast control signaling for UL scheduling assignments in TTIs supporting the multicast/broadcast communication mode. Moreover, multiplexing of unicast control signaling can also be accomplished by splitting a symbol of the multicast/broadcast TTI into two shorter symbols with the first of these two shorter symbols carrying at least unicast control signaling and the second of these shorter symbols carrying multicast/broadcast signaling.