Uplink Channel Zone Configuration for LTE-A

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE-A uplink channel architecture faces challenges in efficiently managing the transmission of data and control information, particularly with the increasing demand for capacity and the need for low latency, as the current multicarrier and single-carrier modulation schemes do not effectively optimize bandwidth usage and interference control.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves configuring distinct zones within an uplink subframe for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) using single carrier modulation (SC-FDMA) and the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) using multicarrier modulation (OFDM), allowing for overlapping transmission and optimized resource allocation, which enables efficient data and control information communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multicarrier modulation (OFDM) is used for uplink data transmission, then bandwidth utilization improves, but interference control and uplink synchronization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidinterference control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink transmission into two distinct channels: PUCCH for control information using SC-FDMA and PUSCH for data using OFDM. This segmentation allows each channel to use the most appropriate modulation scheme for its specific requirements, resolving the contradiction between bandwidth efficiency and interference control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different modulation qualities to different parts of the uplink transmission: SC-FDMA is used locally for control channel transmission where low peak-to-average power ratio is critical, while OFDM is used locally for data channel where bandwidth efficiency is prioritized. This local quality differentiation resolves the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If separate channels are allocated for control and data transmission, then reliability improves, but resource allocation efficiency and latency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information transmissionVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control and data transmission in the sense that both can occur simultaneously in the same uplink subframe with overlapping time-frequency resources. The PUCCH and PUSCH are configured to overlap in time, allowing control and data to be transmitted concurrently, thus maintaining reliability while reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration of PUCCH and PUSCH zones within each uplink subframe, allowing the network to flexibly adjust the allocation and overlap of control and data resources based on traffic conditions. This dynamic approach optimizes both reliability and latency adaptation to varying system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If PUCCH and PUSCH zones overlap in time-frequency resources, then resource allocation flexibility improves, but channel interference and detection complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidchannel detection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different modulation schemes (SC-FDMA for PUCCH, OFDM for PUSCH) to different spatial/frequency regions, creating local quality differences that enable flexible resource allocation while managing interference through the inherent properties of each modulation type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite uplink transmission structure where SC-FDMA and OFDM signals coexist in overlapping resources. The base station employs composite signal processing to separately detect and decode the different modulation types, managing the complexity through structured detection approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3430852B1Multicarrier uplink data with single carrier uplink control
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3430852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3430852B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3430852B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to technology for communicating data and control information on an uplink channel in a wireless communication system. A frame is constructed to communicate symbols between a base station and user equipment, and zones are configured for an uplink channel in an uplink subframe using a signaling message. A first zone in the uplink channel is configured as a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmission of control information and a second zone is configured as a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmission of data information. The PUCCH zone configuration is transmitted to the user equipment by the base station, control information is received by the base station as uplink control information (UCI) on the PUCCH resource using a single carrier modulation, such as SC-FDMA, and the data is received at the base station on the PUSCH resource using a multicarrier modulation, such as OFDM.