Uplink Control Channel Coordination with CQI Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications, the continuous transmission of uplink control channels for bursty packet services leads to significant overhead, as they are required for channel estimation and power control, even during periods of inactivity, which reduces uplink capacity and battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for coordinating the timing of report signals and discontinuous control signals on the uplink control channel, where the transmission of the control signal is gated based on the activity of the downlink channel, allowing for periodic rate adjustments and overlap with report signal timing to minimize unnecessary transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous transmission of uplink control channel is implemented, then channel estimation and power control are maintained, but control overhead increases and uplink capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of uplink control channel instead of continuous transmission. The control channel is transmitted only during specific periods when downlink data is actually being transmitted, rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains the necessary channel estimation and power control functions while significantly reducing control overhead and increasing uplink capacity for data transmission.
2Reliability
If continuous transmission of uplink control channel is implemented, then power control is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic transmission of the uplink control channel, activating it only when downlink data transmission occurs. This periodic action maintains adequate power control functionality while reducing the frequency of transmissions, thereby conserving mobile station battery life and reducing overall power consumption in the system.
3Measurement precision
If control signals are transmitted during inactivity periods, then channel estimation accuracy is maintained, but control overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary portions of control channel transmission during inactivity periods. By taking out the control transmission function during periods when downlink data is not being transmitted, the patent reduces control overhead while maintaining channel estimation accuracy during the periods when it is actually needed for active data transmission.
4Productivity
If discontinuous transmission of control signals is implemented, then control overhead is reduced, but timing coordination with report signals becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the mobile station reports channel quality information (CQI) and the network controller uses this feedback to determine when uplink control channel transmission is necessary. This feedback loop enables intelligent discontinuous transmission that reduces control overhead while maintaining adequate channel estimation, with the timing coordination complexity managed through standardized feedback procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The specification and drawings present a new method, system, apparatus and software product for coordinating gating of an uplink (UL) control channel, e.g., a dedicated physical control channel (DPCCH), with UL reporting in regard to a downlink channel using, e.g., high speed uplink packet access (HSDPA) channel quality indicator (CQI) reporting.