Uplink Control Channel Resource Mapping for Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for efficient methods to communicate control data, particularly for multiple downlink component carriers, in wireless communication networks, especially with the increasing number of component carriers supported by newer standards like LTE Rel-13.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a wireless device receiving information on configured downlink component carriers and uplink control channel resources from a network node. The device maps control data for these carriers to parts of the uplink control channel resources, optimizing the use of resources by separating and prioritizing different types of control data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of downlink component carriers is increased to support higher data rates and system capacity, then the peak data rates and system capacity are improved, but the complexity of uplink control channel resources increases and the control data capacity becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidcontrol channel resource complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The uplink control channel resources are segmented into multiple independent resources, where each resource can carry control data for specific downlink component carriers. This segmentation allows the control data to be distributed across multiple resources, preventing any single resource from becoming overloaded as the number of component carriers increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension for organizing control channel resources by associating specific downlink component carriers with specific uplink control channel resources. This dimensional mapping allows the system to scale to more component carriers without linearly increasing the complexity of each individual control channel resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If control data for multiple downlink component carriers is transmitted in a single uplink control channel resource, then the resource utilization is improved, but the control data capacity becomes insufficient and link adaptation accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidlink adaptation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Control data from multiple downlink component carriers is segmented and assigned to different uplink control channel resources based on carrier-group associations. This segmentation ensures that control data for each carrier group maintains sufficient capacity and precision for accurate link adaptation, while overall resource utilization is improved through the structured mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different uplink control channel resources are allocated with different qualities or capacities based on the specific requirements of their associated downlink component carriers. This local quality approach ensures that critical control data maintains high precision for link adaptation while less critical data can use resources with lower capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If all control data is transmitted using the same uplink control channel resource, then the device complexity is reduced, but the efficiency and capacity of the control channel resources decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol channel management complexityVSAvoidcontrol channel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The uplink control channel resources are designed with multi-functionality, where each resource can serve multiple downlink component carriers through the established association relationships. This universality allows the system to support multiple carriers without proportionally increasing the number of control channel resources, maintaining device complexity at acceptable levels while improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12295051B2Communicating control data in a wireless communication network

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods for sending or receiving control data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of a wireless communication network and to corresponding devices. According to one embodiment of the invention a method of sending control data in one or multiple uplink control channel resources of a wireless communication network is provided. A wireless device receives, from a network node, information on a set of downlink component carriers configured for the wireless device. The wireless device receives, from a network node, an indication of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. The wireless device maps first control data comprising control data for the set of configured downlink component carriers to a part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources. And the wireless device maps second control data to a remaining part of the one or multiple uplink control channel resources.