Uplink Control Transmission Across Multiple Unlicensed Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face reliability issues in unlicensed spectrum due to interference from other devices, necessitating improved methods for uplink control information transmission.

Innovation Solution

The system allocates multiple uplink resource partitions across different component carriers, allowing uplink control information to be transmitted on an alternative carrier if the initial channel is occupied, enhancing reliability by utilizing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple carriers are used for uplink control information transmission, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The uplink control information is segmented and transmitted across multiple carriers (PUCCH carriers and PUSCH carriers). The method divides the control information transmission task into multiple parallel transmission paths, where each carrier transmits a portion or copy of the control information, thereby improving reliability through diversity while managing device complexity through structured segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables control information to be transmitted through multiple types of carriers (both dedicated PUCCH carriers and shared PUSCH carriers). This multi-functionality allows the same control information to utilize different transmission resources, improving reliability without requiring entirely separate transmission systems for each carrier type

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

2Reliability

If multiple carriers are used for uplink control information transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary actions by selecting appropriate carriers and preparing control information for multi-carrier transmission before actual data transmission. The base station and user equipment pre-coordinate which carriers will be used and how control information should be distributed across them, reducing processing overhead during actual transmission by having decisions made in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by transmitting control information on multiple carriers only when reliability requirements demand it, rather than always using all available carriers. The method selectively activates the necessary number of carriers based on channel conditions and reliability requirements, avoiding unnecessary processing overhead from using excessive carriers when not needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Area of stationary object

If control information is transmitted on multiple component carriers, then coverage is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method extends control information transmission from a single carrier dimension to multiple carrier dimensions. By utilizing frequency diversity across multiple component carriers, the system improves coverage area by transmitting control information across different frequency resources, effectively adding a frequency dimension to the transmission strategy without requiring spatial expansion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3918863B1Systems and methods for transmission of uplink control information over multiple carriers in unlicensed spectrum
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3918863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3918863B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3918863B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Wireless communication between a user equipment (UE) and a base station may occur on unlicensed spectrum. When wirelessly communicating on unlicensed spectrum, there is an expectation that there may be interference from others devices also transmitting on the same resources in the unlicensed spectrum. Systems and methods are therefore disclosed that aim to facilitate wireless communication in unlicensed spectrum. In some embodiments, systems and method are disclosed that are directed to the transmission of uplink control information (UCI) in unlicensed spectrum. The UCI may be or include hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback. The HARQ feedback may correspond to a downlink data transmission that was also sent on unlicensed spectrum.