Uplink Control Information Transmission in Multi-Cell LTE Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE communication systems, efficiently transmitting and receiving uplink control information across multiple serving cells, particularly between a terminal apparatus and a base station apparatus, is hindered by the complexity of scheduling and processing time intervals, especially when using both PUSCH and sPUSCH channels.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a terminal apparatus and a base station apparatus configured to receive and transmit uplink control information using both PUSCH and sPUSCH channels, with specific configurations for primary and secondary cells, allowing for efficient scheduling and processing by prioritizing PUSCH transmission in secondary cells during certain subframes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If uplink control information is transmitted using both PUSCH and sPUSCH channels across multiple serving cells, then the reliability and coverage of control information transmission is improved, but the scheduling complexity and processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of uplink control information transmissionVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink control information transmission by dividing serving cells into primary cells and secondary cells. Each cell type has dedicated transmission channels (PUSCH for primary, sPUSCH for secondary), which segments the overall transmission system into manageable parts with distinct functions, reducing scheduling complexity while maintaining reliability across multiple cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic selection of transmission channels based on the type of serving cell. The terminal apparatus dynamically determines whether to use PUSCH or sPUSCH based on whether the cell is a primary or secondary cell, allowing the system to adapt its transmission strategy to the specific cell type and current transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If uplink control information is transmitted using both PUSCH and sPUSCH channels across multiple serving cells, then the redundancy and robustness of transmission is improved, but the processing time and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobustness of transmissionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting transmission channels according to cell type, the patent enables parallel processing of control information across primary and secondary cells. Each cell type has its own dedicated channel (PUSCH or sPUSCH), allowing simultaneous transmission without interference, thus maintaining robustness while reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes predetermined rules for channel selection based on cell type before transmission occurs. The terminal apparatus is pre-configured to know which channel (PUSCH or sPUSCH) to use for each cell type, eliminating the need for real-time decision-making during transmission and reducing processing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If PUSCH transmission is performed in primary cell and sPUSCH transmission is performed in secondary cell simultaneously, then the resource utilization efficiency is improved, but the coordination complexity between cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different transmission channel characteristics to different cell types. Primary cells use PUSCH with specific properties, while secondary cells use sPUSCH with different properties. This local differentiation optimizes resource utilization for each cell type while the clear distinction between them reduces coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal framework where the primary/secondary cell distinction universally determines channel selection across all serving cells. This multi-functional approach allows the same rule set to apply regardless of the specific cell configuration, enabling efficient resource utilization while maintaining consistent coordination procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3451769B1Terminal apparatus, base station apparatus, communication method, and integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 FG INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP3451769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451769B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Uplink control information can be efficiently transmitted. A terminal apparatus (1): (i) receives an uplink grant used for scheduling of a PUSCH and an uplink grant used for scheduling of a sPUSCH; (ii) transmits uplink control information; and (iii) in a first case of performing sPUSCH transmission in a first subframe in the primary cell and performing PUSCH transmission in the first subframe in the secondary cell, transmits the uplink control information by using the PUSCH in the first subframe in the secondary cell.