Uplink Control Channel Resource Allocation for 5G NR

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR systems, the current method of frequency hopping for uplink control channels leads to discontiguous frequency domain resources for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), resulting in inefficient information transmission and low utilization of frequency domain resources due to PUCCH fragments.

Innovation Solution

A method where a base station configures frequency domain resources for the PUCCH, allowing for flexible frequency hopping by determining the first and second hop resources, and the UE determines the second hop resource based on the resource configuration information, ensuring contiguous frequency domain resources for PUSCH.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frequency hopping is performed using n x BWP as frequency hopping range for PUCCH, then conflict between frequency domain resources of different PUCCHs is avoided, but frequency domain resources for PUSCH become discontiguous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resource conflict avoidanceVSAvoidfrequency domain resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency hopping process into two distinct hops: first hop using n1 x BWP1 and second hop using n2 x BWP2. This segmentation allows independent control of frequency resources for different UEs, enabling conflict avoidance while maintaining resource contiguity for PUSCH transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different frequency hopping parameters (n1, BWP1 for first hop; n2, BWP2 for second hop) to different hops of the same PUCCH. This local differentiation enables each hop to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between conflict avoidance and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequency hopping range is set to n x BWP, then PUCCH frequency domain resources are allocated flexibly, but PUSCH cannot use contiguous frequency domain resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidinformation transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic frequency hopping parameters where n1 and n2 can be independently configured for first and second hops respectively. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt frequency resources to different UE requirements while ensuring PUSCH can always allocate contiguous resources, thus maintaining both flexibility and transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If same frequency hopping range is configured for multiple PUCCHs, then frequency hopping can be simplified, but second-hop resources may interrupt the entire BWP

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency hopping configuration complexityVSAvoidfrequency domain resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency hopping parameters by introducing separate n1 and n2 values for first and second hops. This parameter differentiation allows the system to maintain simple configuration procedures while avoiding BWP interruption, as each hop can be independently optimized to prevent resource fragmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3709706B1Method and device for resource allocation for uplink control channel
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3709706B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3709706B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3709706B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications technologies, and provide an uplink control channel resource configuration method and an apparatus, to improve utilization of a frequency domain resource of an uplink channel. The method includes: determining, by a base station, resource configuration information, and sending, by the base station, the resource configuration information to UE, where the resource configuration information includes a first hop resource of a first uplink control channel PUCCH, a frequency domain resource offset of the first PUCCH, and/or a bandwidth of a bandwidth part BWP used by the user equipment UE, and the first PUCCH is a PUCCH of the UE.