Uplink Control Channel Format Selection for Wireless Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE wireless communications networks, uplink control channel transmissions face inefficiencies due to unsuitable uplink control channel formats being used, leading to unnecessary control signaling overhead and resource underutilization, especially when the number of serving cells activated changes rapidly.
Innovation Solution
A method where a wireless device determines the relevant number of serving cells and selects an appropriate uplink control channel format from a set of formats based on this determination to optimize control channel transmissions, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and improving resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed uplink control channel format is used regardless of the number of serving cells, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control signaling overhead increases and resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the wireless device to dynamically select the uplink control channel format based on the current number of activated serving cells. The device determines the number of relevant serving cells and selects an appropriate PUCCH format from a set of available formats, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions rather than using a fixed format. This resolves the contradiction by avoiding excessive signaling overhead when fewer cells are active while maintaining the ability to handle more cells when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of uplink control channel format selection based on the number of serving cells. By mapping the number of relevant serving cells to specific PUCCH formats, the system optimizes the control signaling overhead according to actual network conditions. This parameter change allows the system to use more efficient formats when fewer cells are involved while maintaining compatibility with larger configurations.
2Loss of substance
If the uplink control channel format is dynamically selected based on the number of serving cells, then the control signaling overhead is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the uplink control channel format based on the number of activated serving cells, transitioning from a static to a dynamic selection mechanism. This allows optimization of signaling overhead according to actual network conditions while managing device complexity through standardized selection criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of PUCCH format selection based on the number of relevant serving cells. By establishing a mapping between the number of active cells and appropriate formats, the system reduces signaling overhead without requiring complex decision-making algorithms, thus balancing performance improvement with acceptable device complexity.
3Reliability
If all configured serving cells are considered for uplink control channel transmission, then the reliability is improved, but the control signaling overhead increases unnecessarily when cells are deactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by considering only the subset of serving cells that are currently activated or relevant for a given uplink control channel transmission, rather than treating all configured cells uniformly. The device determines the number of relevant serving cells based on activation status, allowing the system to adapt to local network conditions and avoid unnecessary signaling for deactivated cells while maintaining reliability for active communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by focusing the uplink control channel transmission on only the necessary subset of active serving cells rather than processing all configured cells. This selective approach reduces signaling overhead for deactivated cells while ensuring that all active cells are properly accounted for, thus balancing reliability requirements with efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a wireless device for performing an uplink control channel transmission in a serving cell in a wireless communications network is provided. The wireless device is configured with a set of serving cell(s) in the wireless communications network. First, the wireless device determines a number of serving cells of the set of serving cell(s) that are relevant to consider when performing the uplink control channel transmission in the serving cell. Secondly, the wireless device selects an uplink control channel format from a set of uplink control channel formats for uplink control channel transmissions based on the determined number of serving cells. Then, the wireless device performs the uplink control channel transmission in the serving cell using the selected uplink control channel format. A wireless device for performing an uplink control channel transmission in a serving cell in a wireless communications network is also provided.