Patent attributes
The invention relates to the definition of a structure of a sub-frame for transmission from a Node B to at least one relay node in a communication system. Furthermore, the invention is also related to the operation of Node B and relay node regarding the generation, transmission and reception of such special sub-frame format. The invention is inter alia applicable to a 3GPP LTE-A system as standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The invention suggests a new structure for a sub-frame that is capable of conveying control information and/or data for a relay node to the relay node essentially independent from propagation delays. The structure of the sub-frame takes into account propagation delays of the radio signal from Node B to relay node, in that control information and/or data for a relay node is transmitted from the Node B on OFDM symbols that can be expected to be received by the relay node.
