5G HARQ-ACK Repetition Across PUCCH Resources for Low-SNR Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G systems do not effectively utilize sub-band reporting for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) due to limitations in downlink control channels, leading to reduced throughput and inefficiencies in channel state information feedback, particularly in low-latency communications with multiple transmit antennas.
Innovation Solution
Configuring user equipment (UE) with multiple PUCCH resources and repetition factors for each antenna port, allowing HARQ-ACK to be repeated across these resources, and dynamically indicating these resources in the downlink control channel to improve detection reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HARQ-ACK is transmitted using conventional downlink control channels, then the system maintains basic communication functionality, but block error rate performance deteriorates and reliability is insufficient for URLLC applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the HARQ-ACK transmission by configuring multiple PUCCH resources (first and second PUCCH resources) for different antenna ports. Each antenna port transmits HARQ-ACK on its designated PUCCH resource, enabling parallel transmission paths that improve reliability through diversity while maintaining overall system throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to HARQ-ACK transmission by utilizing multiple PUCCH resources across different antenna ports and time slots. This multi-dimensional approach (spatial diversity through multiple antennas, temporal diversity through repeated transmissions) enhances block error rate performance without sacrificing throughput.
2Reliability
If multiple PUCCH resources and repetition factors are configured for each antenna port, then reliability and coverage are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal PUCCH resource configuration framework that serves multiple antenna ports with standardized repetition factors and resource allocation rules. This multi-functional approach allows the same PUCCH resources to be reused across different antenna ports and HARQ processes, enhancing reliability while keeping the configuration manageable through pattern-based allocation.
3Reliability
If HARQ-ACK is repeated across multiple PUCCH resources, then detection reliability improves at low signal-to-noise ratios, but loss of time increases due to repeated transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic repetition of HARQ-ACK transmissions across multiple PUCCH resources with defined repetition factors. This periodic action allows the receiver to accumulate signal energy over multiple transmissions, improving detection reliability at low SNR while the structured repetition pattern minimizes time loss by using efficient resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by overlapping HARQ-ACK repetitions in time and frequency domains across multiple PUCCH resources. This continuity allows the receiver to continuously process incoming HARQ-ACK signals without idle gaps, improving detection reliability while minimizing overall transmission time through efficient resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Facilitation of hybrid automatic repeat requests (HARQ) can comprise a system that acquires information about the capability of a mobile device. Next, the system can configure the mobile device with multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources and a number of repetitions within a slot for each antenna port of the mobile device. A network node can then transmit a downlink control channel to the mobile device and indicate the PUCCH resources for each antenna port. Consequently, the system can then detect a HARQ acknowledgment (ACK) from the mobile device from all of the PUCCH resources.