Uplink Control Region Sharing in WiMAX Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In WiMAX systems, the priority given to control regions in uplink sub-frames often leaves insufficient bandwidth for network entry messages, preventing certain configurations from functioning, especially in 5 MHz bandwidth and segmented partial usage of sub-carriers configurations, due to the dominance of control regions over data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allocates a higher priority to the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Acknowledgment Channel (ACKCH) over the Channel Quality Indicator Channel (CQICH) within the uplink control region, allowing for the estimation of downlink channel quality using HARQ ACK information and enabling the sharing of control regions to maximize uplink bandwidth for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If control regions occupy a small portion of the uplink sub-frame, then adequate uplink bandwidth is maintained for data transmission, but network entry messages cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CQICH and HARQ-ACK regions into a single shared control region, allowing both control functions to coexist within the same allocated resources. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate control regions, thereby maximizing uplink bandwidth for data transmission while maintaining support for network entry messages through the shared control structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared control region serves multiple functions simultaneously - it handles both CQI reporting and HARQ-ACK transmissions. This multi-functional design allows the system to maintain adequate bandwidth for data transmission while providing universal support for various control message types including network entry messages, eliminating the contradiction between bandwidth efficiency and message accommodation.
2Reliability
If control regions dominate the uplink bandwidth, then control signaling is adequately supported, but certain configurations such as 5 MHz bandwidth and PUSC become incompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic allocation and sharing mechanisms for the control region, allowing the system to adaptively adjust resource distribution between control and data functions based on configuration requirements. This dynamic approach enables compatibility with various configurations including 5 MHz bandwidth and PUSC by flexibly managing control region resources rather than being constrained by fixed allocations.
3Reliability
If HARQ ACKCH and CQICH are allocated separately, then both control functions are supported, but slot wastage occurs and uplink bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines HARQ ACKCH and CQICH into a single shared control region, eliminating the slot wastage that occurs when these functions are allocated separately. By merging the two control functions into one unified region with shared resources, the system achieves both reliable control function support and maximized uplink bandwidth efficiency for data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for allocating a particular uplink control region to both HARQ ACKCH and CQICH in order to maximize uplink bandwidth for data transfer in a communication network. A control region scheduling (CRS) utility assigns a higher priority to HARQ ACKCH relative to CQICH. When both HARQ ACKCH and CQICH are to be allocated for a subscriber in the same region in the same frame, HARQ ACKCH is allocated in the region while CQICH is rejected. As the substitute to the rejected CQICH, the CRS utility may use current uplink channel quality information in combination with the corresponding HARQ ACK transmission to estimate the downlink channel quality information for the subscriber. Upon receiving the HARQ ACK information, the CRS utility updates the subscriber(s) uplink channel quality information. The CRS utility also provides a configurable option of activating or de-activating the sharing of the uplink control region.