Uplink Control Channel Resource Set Selection for 5G Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, the complexity and load of processing uplink control channel resources increase due to limiting the number of PUCCH resources, making it challenging for user terminals to configure suitable uplink control channel resource sets.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal determines a single resource set from multiple resource sets based on higher layer signaling and uses a given field value in downlink control information to select a transmission resource for the uplink control channel, with the option to apply a maximum number of PUCCH resources per resource set across all sets, ensuring the number does not exceed a given value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of PUCCH resources per resource set is limited to a certain value or more, then the reliability of uplink control channel transmission is improved, but the device complexity and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink control channel transmission reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the uplink control channel resources into multiple resource sets, where each set contains a limited number of PUCCH resources. The terminal selects one resource set based on payload size, and another resource is selected within the set based on DCI field values. This segmentation allows each subset to maintain manageable complexity while collectively providing sufficient resources for reliable transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different resource sets are configured with different numbers of PUCCH resources based on specific conditions (payload size ranges). Each resource set is optimized locally for its intended use case, with smaller sets for smaller payloads and larger sets for larger payloads, thereby reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple resource sets with sufficient PUCCH resources are configured, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the device complexity and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidresource set management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource configuration into multiple hierarchical levels: first, multiple resource sets are defined with different payload size ranges; second, each set contains multiple PUCCH resources. The terminal performs two-stage selection: first selecting a resource set based on payload size, then selecting a specific resource within the set based on DCI field values. This segmentation enables adaptability while controlling complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic selection mechanisms where the terminal adaptively chooses resource sets and specific resources based on varying conditions (payload size, DCI field values). This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different transmission requirements without requiring the terminal to process all possible resource configurations simultaneously, thereby managing complexity effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a higher layer parameter for maximum PUCCH resources per resource set is applied to all resource sets, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information increases due to excessive overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource configuration easeVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying the maximum PUCCH resources parameter uniformly to all resource sets (excessive action), the patent applies it selectively - each resource set is configured with an appropriate number of resources based on its intended payload size range. This partial application approach reduces unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining ease of operation through consistent configuration rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3790332B1Terminal, radio communication method, base station and corresponding system
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3790332B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3790332B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3790332B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An uplink control channel resource set including a suitable number of uplink control channel resources is configured. A user terminal according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a transmitting section that transmits uplink control information by using an uplink control channel, and a control section that determines a single resource set from among a plurality of resource sets configured based on higher layer signaling and that determines a transmission resource to be used for the uplink control channel from within the single resource set based on a given field value in downlink control information. When a higher layer parameter corresponding to a maximum number of uplink control channel resources per resource set is applied to all the plurality of resource sets and when the maximum number exceeds a given value, the control section determines that the maximum number of uplink control channel resources per resource set other than a specific resource set is the given number.