Uplink Control Channel Grouping for Heterogeneous Network Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous networks with low-speed backbone lines between macro and small cells, the efficiency of uplink control information transmission is hindered due to delayed scheduling and unclear transmission timing and cell allocation for physical uplink control channels.

Innovation Solution

A terminal apparatus and base station apparatus configuration that groups cells into primary and secondary groups, allowing for efficient uplink control channel transmission by receiving and transmitting configuration information and managing transmission timing and buffer states across these groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If feedback information is provided via macro cell, then network coverage is maintained, but scheduling efficiency deteriorates due to delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidscheduling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell groups into first cell group (managed by macro cell) and second cell group (managed by small cell), allowing independent uplink control channel transmission for each group. This segmentation enables small cell feedback to bypass the macro cell backbone line, resolving the contradiction between maintaining network coverage and improving scheduling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If physical uplink control channel is allocated to multiple uplinks, then feedback efficiency is improved, but transmission timing management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission timing management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different uplink control channel transmission rules for different cell groups. The first cell group uses macro cell-based transmission timing, while the second cell group uses small cell-based transmission timing. This localized differentiation simplifies timing management for each group while maintaining overall feedback efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual connectivity is implemented, then network flexibility is improved, but backbone line dependency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidbackbone line dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the uplink control channel transmission path for the second cell group from the macro cell backbone line dependency. By enabling direct small cell-to-terminal feedback for the second cell group, the system reduces backbone line dependency while maintaining dual connectivity flexibility for other functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2975899B1Terminal apparatus, base station apparatus, communication system, communication method and integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 SHARP KK
  • EP2975899B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2975899B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2975899B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are techniques related to a terminal apparatus, a base station apparatus, a communication system, a communication method and an integrated circuit that realize efficient procedure of transmitting uplink control information in a plurality of cells. The terminal apparatus groups a plurality of cells into a single primary cell group and one or more secondary cell groups, and, in the case of performing a radio resource request, carries out either a radio resource request with respect to a cell of the primary cell group or a radio resource request with respect to a cell of the secondary cell groups.