Uplink Control Channel Frequency-Domain Multiplexing for Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face latency issues due to the use of multiple symbols for uplink (UL) transmission, which is not efficient in reducing transmission latency, especially with the proposed reduction to one or several symbols in future 5G communication frameworks.

Innovation Solution

A new PUCCH channel structure and UL information transmission method that staggers the multiplexing of reference signals and control information in the frequency domain, allowing for efficient transmission and reception of uplink information using reduced UL symbols, thereby reducing transmission latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple UL symbols are used for PUCCH transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from time-domain multiplexing (multiple UL symbols sequentially) to frequency-domain multiplexing (multiple reference signals and control information staggered across frequency resources within a single or reduced number of symbols). This dimensional shift allows simultaneous transmission of reference signals and control information, reducing latency while maintaining reliability through frequency diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where the number of UL symbols is reduced from the traditional 7 per slot to 1-3 symbols, and reference signals are dynamically staggered across frequency resources. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to achieve low latency transmission while maintaining adequate reliability through flexible resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If UL symbols are reduced to one or several symbols, then transmission latency is reduced, but transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for reduced time resources by expanding into the frequency dimension. Multiple reference signals are staggered across different frequency resources within the reduced UL symbols, providing frequency diversity that maintains transmission reliability despite the reduction in time-domain resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the transmission of reference signals and control information into the same reduced UL symbols through frequency-domain staggered multiplexing. This combination allows both functions to coexist in limited resources, maintaining reliability without requiring separate time resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If reference signals and control information are transmitted in the same UL symbols, then resource utilization is improved, but signal interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments frequency resources into distinct regions for reference signals and control information, with staggered positioning that separates them in the frequency domain. This segmentation reduces mutual interference while maintaining high resource utilization by eliminating guard symbols and achieving tighter packing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different frequency resource allocations and staggered positioning strategies to different parts of the spectrum. Reference signals and control information are assigned to specific frequency regions with appropriate spacing, providing local quality optimization that minimizes interference while maximizing overall resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4255071B9Method and apparatuses for transmitting and receiving uplink information
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 NEC CORP
  • EP4255071B9 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4255071B9 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4255071B9 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus of transmitting uplink (UL) information and a method and apparatus of receiving UL information. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method of transmitting UL information comprises transmitting a reference signal using a first sequence; and transmitting UL control information using a second sequence; wherein a reference signal and the UL control information are staggered-multiplexed in frequency domain. With embodiments of the present disclosure, the uplink information can be transmitted in reduced uplink symbols so as to adapt for a proposed subframe structure with reduced uplink symbols and thus, the transmission latency can be reduced greatly.