Uplink Information Handling Under Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current LTE system lacks clear specifications for handling uplink information, including scheduling requests, buffer status reports, and power headroom reports, under carrier aggregation in LTE-Advanced systems, which affects the efficient management of uplink shared channel resources and data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for handling uplink information in a wireless communication system that utilizes multiple component carriers to manage scheduling requests, buffer status reports, and power headroom reports by triggering and reporting these messages on specific component carriers based on available resources and triggering events, ensuring efficient resource allocation and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carrier aggregation is implemented to increase uplink capacity, then the quantity of uplink data transmission is improved, but the complexity of handling uplink information (SR, BSR, PHR) worsens due to lack of clear specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink information handling by defining separate triggering conditions and reporting procedures for each component carrier. Specifically, it divides the handling of scheduling requests, buffer status reports, and power headroom reports into carrier-specific procedures, where each component carrier has its own triggering events and reporting mechanisms. This segmentation resolves the complexity by providing clear, modular specifications for each carrier rather than a monolithic handling approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different component carriers to have different configurations for uplink information handling. Each component carrier can be independently configured with specific PUCCH resources, triggering conditions, and reporting formats based on local requirements. This enables tailored optimization for each carrier while maintaining overall system coherence, thus managing complexity through localized rather than uniform handling.
2Productivity
If multiple component carriers are used for carrier aggregation, then the uplink shared channel resource allocation is improved, but the difficulty of managing scheduling requests and buffer status reports worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring PUCCH resources and triggering conditions for each component carrier before uplink data transmission begins. The system establishes carrier-specific buffering status report triggers and scheduling request configurations in advance, so that when data arrives, the appropriate carrier and reporting mechanism are already determined. This eliminates the need for complex real-time decisions about which carrier to use for SR/BSR reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) as an intermediary mechanism for carrying scheduling requests and buffer status reports on specific component carriers. By using PUCCH as a dedicated control channel intermediary, the system separates control signaling from data transmission, making it easier to manage SR and BSR reporting independently on each carrier without interfering with the uplink shared channel data transmission efficiency.
3Reliability
If uplink information is reported on all component carriers, then the reliability of resource allocation is improved, but the loss of uplink control resources worsens due to redundant reporting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scheduling request and buffer status report functionality from the data carriers and places it on dedicated PUCCH resources on specific component carriers. By taking out the control signaling from the data transmission path and placing it on separate control channel resources, the system ensures reliable resource allocation information is conveyed without consuming uplink shared channel resources that should be used for data transmission. This extraction prevents redundant resource usage while maintaining reliability.
4Measurement precision
If buffer status reports are triggered on each component carrier independently, then the precision of buffer status information is improved, but the frequency of reporting increases causing resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges buffer status reporting across multiple component carriers by allowing a single BSR trigger condition to initiate reporting on multiple carriers simultaneously or selectively. Instead of each carrier independently triggering BSR reports, the system combines the triggering logic so that when buffer status needs reporting, it can be done efficiently across the aggregated carriers using shared triggering mechanisms and coordinated reporting timing, thus reducing redundant reporting frequency while maintaining precise buffer status information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling uplink information under carrier aggregation for a MAC layer of a UE in a wireless communication system includes receiving uplink data from a higher layer of the UE, triggering a request for requesting UL-SCH resource on at least one of a plurality of component carriers according to whether a PUCCH resource is configured on the at least one of the plurality of component carriers in a current TTI when no UL-SCH resource is available for transmitting the uplink data in the current TTI, and instructing a lower layer of the UE to transmit the request on the at least one of the plurality of component carriers.