Variable Control Channel Structure for Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in transmitting control information due to fixed resource allocations, which do not adapt to varying conditions such as asymmetric downlink and uplink allocations, leading to suboptimal system performance.
Innovation Solution
A variable control channel structure that dynamically allocates resources based on operating configurations, such as system and UE settings, allowing for flexible mapping of control information types and amounts, whether data is being sent or not, to improve resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed resource allocation is used for control channel, then system simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates under asymmetric downlink and uplink allocations
Solution Approach 1:
The control channel structure is made dynamic by allowing the number of resource blocks to vary based on the data transmission state. When data is being transmitted, the control channel uses a variable number of resource blocks from the data segment; when no data is transmitted, it uses a fixed amount from the control segment. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing resource utilization efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through conditional structure selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of resource block allocation from fixed to variable based on operating conditions. The control channel can switch between different resource allocation modes (fixed control segment vs. variable data segment) depending on whether data transmission is occurring and the asymmetry of downlink/uplink allocations. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to asymmetric allocations and improve resource utilization without requiring completely new control channel designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable resource allocation is implemented for control channel, then adaptability to asymmetric allocations is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control channel structure adapts dynamically to asymmetric allocations by selecting between fixed and variable resource block allocations based on the data transmission state. This dynamic behavior provides the necessary adaptability to handle asymmetric downlink and uplink scenarios while keeping implementation complexity manageable through conditional logic rather than completely flexible structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The control channel is designed with multi-functionality to handle both symmetric and asymmetric allocations, data transmission and no-data scenarios using a unified framework. By incorporating both fixed control segment and variable data segment capabilities within a single control channel design, the system achieves universal adaptability without requiring separate specialized channels for different scenarios, thereby limiting complexity growth.
3Productivity
If control information is always transmitted using fixed resource blocks, then transmission reliability is maintained, but throughput efficiency deteriorates when data is being sent
Solution Approach 1:
The resource allocation for control information transitions from static to dynamic based on the data transmission state. When data is being transmitted, the control channel dynamically allocates variable resource blocks from the data segment, improving throughput efficiency. When no data is transmitted, it reverts to fixed resource blocks from the control segment, maintaining transmission reliability. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the allocation strategy to current system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the resource block allocation parameter from fixed to variable based on whether data transmission is occurring. This parameter change enables the system to optimize throughput during data transmission while preserving reliability during non-data periods, resolving the contradiction between throughput efficiency and transmission reliability through conditional parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for sending control information on a variable control channel are described. Different structures for mapping control information to control channel resources may be used depending on various factors such as operating configuration, the available resources for the control channel, the type(s) of control information being sent, the amount of control information being sent for each type, whether or not data is being sent, etc. In one design, at least one type of control information being sent may be determined and may comprise channel quality indicator (CQI) information, acknowledgement (ACK) information, and/or other types of control information. A structure of the control channel may be determined based on operating configuration (e.g., system configuration such as asymmetry of downlink and uplink allocations) and/or other factors. The at least one type of control information may be mapped to the resources for the control channel based on the structure.