Uplink Control Channel Element Segmentation for Flexible Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication protocols for uplink control information transmission in future communication systems, such as 5G, lack flexibility due to significant variations in the bit numbers of uplink control information across different time units, leading to inefficient resource utilization and potential waste of transmission resources.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a terminal device determines multiple uplink control channel elements within a target time unit, each capable of independently transmitting uplink control information, allowing for flexible resource allocation based on the specific bit number of the target uplink control information, with the number of elements calculated as K·┌M/N┐, where M is the bit number of the target uplink control information and N is the maximum bit number per element, enabling flexible resource selection according to practical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple predefined uplink control channel formats are used with different capacities, then transmission of uplink control information of different capacities is supported, but transmission flexibility is insufficient when bit numbers vary greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink control channel into multiple independent uplink control channel elements, where each element can independently transmit uplink control information. This segmentation allows the terminal device to flexibly select and combine a variable number of elements based on the actual bit requirements, rather than being constrained to fixed channel formats with predetermined capacities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation by allowing the terminal device to determine the number of uplink control channel elements to use based on the actual amount of uplink control information that needs to be transmitted. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to adapt to varying bit requirements in different time units, improving transmission flexibility while avoiding the waste associated with fixed-format approaches.
2Productivity
If fixed uplink control channel formats are used, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency decreases when bit numbers vary significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from fixed channel format capacity to variable number of channel elements. By allowing the number of uplink control channel elements to vary based on the actual bit requirements, the system can precisely match transmission resources to information volume, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency and reducing transmission resource waste when bit numbers vary significantly across different time units.
3Reliability
If uplink control information capacity is increased to handle maximum bit numbers, then all scenarios are covered, but resource wastage occurs when actual bit numbers are small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing the terminal device to use only the necessary number of uplink control channel elements required for the current transmission task, rather than always allocating resources for the maximum possible capacity. This partial utilization approach ensures that resources are matched to actual needs, eliminating wastage while maintaining the capability to handle maximum bit numbers when required through simple scaling of element count.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an uplink control information transmission method, a terminal device, and a network device. The method comprises: a terminal device determines multiple uplink control channel units for transmitting target uplink control information, the multiple uplink control channel units being located in a same target time unit in a time domain, and each of the multiple uplink control channel units capable of separately transmitting the uplink control information; and in the target time unit, the terminal device sends the target uplink control information to a network device by means of the multiple uplink control channel units. By means of the embodiments of the present invention, the flexibility of the uplink control information can be improved.