ACK/NACK Resource Mapping for Multi-Carrier HARQ

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multiple-carrier wireless communication systems, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently transmitting acknowledgment signals for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) due to the complexity of managing multiple downlink component carriers, which affects resource allocation and acknowledgment (ACK)/negative acknowledgment (NACK) signaling.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) that receives downlink resource allocations across multiple downlink carriers, determines ACK/NACK resource indices based on downlink control channel indices, and transmits ACK/NACK signals using these indices, allowing for efficient resource management across multiple carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple downlink carriers are used to increase data rate, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to manage multiple downlink component carriers for HARQ acknowledgment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple downlink component carriers
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the management of HARQ acknowledgment resources by associating each downlink carrier with a specific uplink carrier for ACK/NACK transmission. This division allows the UE to handle multiple downlink carriers independently through dedicated uplink resources, reducing the overall complexity of managing HARQ processes across multiple carriers while maintaining high data rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple downlink carriers are used to transmit data, then productivity is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential conflicts in resource allocation and ACK/NACK signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidresource allocation conflicts
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping relationship between downlink carriers and uplink carriers that serves as a mediator for resource allocation. By establishing predetermined associations between downlink component carriers and uplink component carriers for ACK/NACK transmission, the system avoids resource allocation conflicts and ensures reliable information transfer across multiple carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing HARQ acknowledgment methods are used in multiple-carrier systems, then adaptability is maintained with legacy systems, but device complexity increases due to ineffective channel structure design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidineffective channel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal resource allocation framework where uplink carriers serve multiple functions: they carry both data transmissions and HARQ acknowledgment signals for multiple downlink carriers. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain backward compatibility with legacy single-carrier systems while efficiently supporting multiple-carrier operations, reducing the need for separate specialized channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2514129B1Apparatus and method of transmitting reception acknowledgement in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2514129B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2514129B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2514129B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method and apparatus for transmitting reception acknowledgment for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in a wireless communication system are provided. A user equipment receives a plurality of downlink resource allocations on a plurality of downlink control channels by using a plurality of downlink carriers, and receives a plurality of downlink transfer blocks on a plurality of downlink shared channels indicated by the plurality of downlink resource allocations. The user equipment determines a plurality of acknowledgment (ACK)/negative acknowledgment (NACK) resource indices based on a plurality of resource indices obtained from downlink resources which use the plurality of downlink control channels. The user equipment transmits ACK/NACK for the plurality of downlink transfer blocks by using ACK/NACK resources indicated by the plurality of ACK/NACK resource indices.