Uplink Signal Transmission Across Unlicensed Component Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, when multiple unlicensed component carriers belong to different Timing Advance Groups (TAGs), existing methods face challenges in preventing signal transmission blocking and ensuring efficient channel access for uplink signals, particularly due to nonideal backhaul connections and differing UL timings across U-cells.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for transmitting uplink signals in a wireless communication system that employs a Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure and configures Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) search spaces to enable efficient channel access and prevent signal blocking across unlicensed component carriers, even when they belong to different TAGs, by adjusting transmission start points and using specific LBT parameters and PDCCH search space configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple unlicensed component carriers are connected through nonideal backhaul, then carrier aggregation capability is improved, but signal transmission blocking occurs due to different UL timings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier aggregation capabilityVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments unlicensed component carriers into different Timing Advance Groups (TAGs) based on their backhaul connection characteristics. Carriers connected through ideal backhaul form one TAG, while those connected through nonideal backhaul form another TAG. This segmentation allows independent timing management for each group, preventing signal transmission blocking while maintaining carrier aggregation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration of TAG assignments and timing advance values before uplink transmission begins. By pre-establishing the timing relationships and grouping carriers appropriately, the system avoids dynamic timing conflicts that would cause signal blocking during actual transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure is implemented on unlicensed carriers, then channel access efficiency is improved, but transmission start point alignment becomes complex across different TAGs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission start point alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different timing advance configurations to different TAGs based on their local characteristics. Each TAG has its own timing advance value optimized for its specific backhaul conditions, allowing LBT to be performed efficiently within each group while managing alignment complexity through localized rather than uniform configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If different Timing Advance Groups are used for unlicensed carriers, then signal blocking is prevented, but channel access coordination becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidchannel access coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors uplink transmission timing and channel access status from different TAGs. Based on this feedback, the base station adjusts timing advance values and coordinates LBT parameters to maintain reliable transmission while managing coordination complexity through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3503660B1Method for transmitting uplink signal through multiple unlicensed component carriers in wireless communication system supporting unlicensed band, and device supporting same
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3503660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3503660B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3503660B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for transmitting an uplink signal to a base station by a terminal in a wireless communication system supporting an unlicensed band, and a device supporting the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for transmitting an uplink signal through an LBT method of a terminal and a plurality of unlicensed component carriers on the basis of the LBT method when two or more unlicensed component carriers among the plurality of unlicensed component carriers are included in different timing advance groups (TAGs) in a wireless communication system supporting the plurality of unlicensed component carriers, and a device supporting the same.