Uplink Control Information Multiplexing in PUSCH
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the PUCCH assigned to HARQ-ACK transmission remains unused, leading to potential degradation in HARQ-ACK Bit Error Rate (BER) when HARQ-ACK signals use their own PUCCH resources, and concurrent transmission of UCI with data in the PUSCH can result in inefficient resource allocation and increased Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR), which may not be feasible for power-limited UEs.
Innovation Solution
A method for User Equipments (UEs) to decide whether to transmit Uplink Control Information (UCI) jointly with data in the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) or separately in the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) during the same Transmission Time Interval (TTI), based on configured thresholds, resource ratios, and modulation and coding schemes, to optimize resource usage and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UCI is transmitted separately in PUCCH and data in PUSCH during the same TTI, then channel resources are dedicated and reliable, but resource allocation efficiency decreases and PAPR increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges UCI and data transmission into a single PUSCH channel, eliminating the need for separate PUCCH resources. This combination improves resource allocation efficiency by consolidating transmission resources while maintaining reliable delivery through joint channel processing and unified resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The PUSCH channel is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - carrying both data traffic and UCI (including HARQ-ACK, CQI, and SR). This multi-functionality allows the system to use a single channel for diverse purposes, improving overall resource utilization and reducing the need for dedicated control channels.
2Reliability
If UCI is transmitted separately in PUCCH and data in PUSCH during the same TTI, then channel resources are dedicated and reliable, but PAPR increases making it infeasible for power-limited UEs
Solution Approach 1:
By combining UCI and data into a single PUSCH transmission, the patent reduces the peak power requirements associated with simultaneous separate transmissions on PUCCH and PUSCH. The unified channel structure lowers PAPR, making the system more suitable for power-limited mobile devices while preserving transmission reliability.
3Productivity
If UCI is multiplexed with data in PUSCH, then resource allocation is efficient and PAPR is reduced, but PUCCH resources remain unused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the PUSCH channel universal by enabling it to carry both data and UCI simultaneously. This eliminates the distinction between dedicated control channels and data channels, allowing flexible resource allocation where the same physical resources serve multiple purposes, thereby eliminating unused PUCCH resources.
4Productivity
If UCI is multiplexed with data in PUSCH, then resource allocation is efficient and PAPR is reduced, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating different resource elements within PUSCH specifically for UCI transmission versus data transmission. This localized resource allocation allows the system to optimize protection and processing for control information within the broader data channel, managing interference through spatial and frequency-domain separation of UCI and data components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for a User Equipment (UE) to concurrently transmit Uplink Control Information (UCI) and data information to a Node B. The Node B can configure the UE whether to transmit UCI together with data information in a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel (PUSCH) or, separate from data information, in a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH). The UE may also determine whether to transmit UCI together with data information in the PUSCH or, separate from data information, in the PUCCH based on criteria involving either a ratio of PUSCH resources for UCI transmission over the total PUSCH resources, a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) for the data information, an absolute power difference between PUCCH and PUSCH transmissions, whether the PUSCH transmission uses frequency hopping, or whether spatial multiplexing is used for the data transmission.