ACK/NACK Feedback Across UMTS and LTE Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication technology, user equipment (UE) supporting both UMTS and LTE networks can only feed back ACK/NACK signals through the uplink mode of the network it receives downlink data from, limiting the ability to correctly transmit feedback across different network modes and affecting data transmission reliability.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring and allocating a time-frequency resource for ACK/NACK feedback, allowing UE to determine the appropriate resource based on configuration information sent by the network node, and encoding ACK/NACK signals in specific PUCCH formats for accurate transmission across UMTS and LTE networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UE feeds back ACK/NACK through the uplink mode of the network it receives downlink data from, then the feedback mechanism is simple and straightforward, but the ability to correctly transmit feedback across different network modes is limited and data transmission reliability is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidability to transmit feedback across different network modes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a unified feedback mechanism where the UE always feeds back ACK/NACK signals through the LTE uplink channel, regardless of whether the downlink data was received via UMTS or LTE. This multi-functional approach allows the same uplink channel to handle feedback for both UMTS and LTE downlink transmissions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability across different network modes.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism that connects downlink data from both UMTS and LTE networks to the LTE uplink feedback channel. Through configuration information and resource mapping, the system mediates between different network modes and the unified feedback channel, enabling reliable cross-mode feedback transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If carriers in UMTS and LTE are aggregated for downlink transmission, then downlink transmission speed is improved, but the complexity of managing uplink feedback resources increases when UE only supports one uplink mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink transmission speedVSAvoidcomplexity of managing uplink feedback resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the feedback management complexity from the UE side by establishing a network-configured mapping mechanism. The network node assigns specific LTE uplink resources for feedback based on downlink data reception, removing the burden of complex resource management from the UE and simplifying its operation while maintaining support for aggregated downlink carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the resource allocation parameters by using network-configured indications to map downlink data from both UMTS and LTE to specific LTE uplink feedback resources. This parameter-based approach allows flexible resource management that adapts to different downlink reception scenarios without increasing UE complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If UE supports downlink transmission in both UMTS and LTE but only implements uplink transmission in one mode, then transmission costs are saved, but a problem for transmitting ACK/NACK in one network mode through an uplink resource of another network mode arises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission costsVSAvoidease of transmitting ACK/NACK across network modes
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the LTE uplink feedback channel universal by enabling it to carry ACK/NACK signals for both UMTS and LTE downlink data. This eliminates the need for separate feedback mechanisms for each network mode, reducing UE implementation complexity and transmission costs while maintaining ease of operation through a unified feedback path.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the network node pre-configure the mapping between downlink data and uplink feedback resources before actual data transmission. This advance configuration simplifies the UE's operation during actual feedback transmission, as the mapping relationships are already established and stored in the UE.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2894916B1Correct/incorrect response feedback method, user equipment and system
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2894916B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2894916B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2894916B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are a correct/incorrect response feedback method, user equipment (UE) and system, allowing downlink data of different networks to obtain correct feedback, and improving reliability of data transmission. The method of the present invention comprises: a UE receiving ACK/NACK resource configuration information delivered by a network node; determining the ACK/NACK resource according to the configuration information, the ACK/NACK resource being a time frequency resource used for bearing ACK/NACK on an uplink channel; and using the ACK/NACK resource to feed back ACK/NACK to the network node. Embodiments of the present invention are mainly used in the ACK/NACK feedback process.