ACK/NACK Resource Allocation in Wireless Uplink Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting ACK/NACK information over uplink control channels, particularly in determining appropriate resources for ACK/NACK transmission in response to downlink data, which affects the performance of HARQ processes.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining and utilizing specific uplink control channel resources for transmitting ACK/NACK information, including the use of PUCCH formats and resource allocation strategies, such as block spreading and carrier aggregation, to effectively manage ACK/NACK transmission across multiple downlink subframes and carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple ACK/NACKs are combined to a single ACK/NACK response for several DL subframes, then uplink control channel performance is improved, but the complexity of resource allocation and bundling methods increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink control channel performanceVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ACK/NACK feedback into multiple PUCCH resources corresponding to different DL subframes and carriers. Each PUCCH resource can be independently allocated and managed, allowing the system to handle multiple ACK/NACK responses without combining them into a single complex feedback mechanism. This segmentation approach maintains reliability while reducing resource allocation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces carrier aggregation as an additional dimension for resource allocation. By allocating PUCCH resources across multiple carriers rather than combining feedback in time domain only, the system achieves improved uplink control channel performance while maintaining manageable complexity through spatial distribution of resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If PUCCH resources are allocated for each DL subframe, then ACK/NACK transmission reliability is improved, but the quantity of uplink control channel resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveACK/NACK transmission reliabilityVSAvoiduplink control channel resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes PUCCH resources universal by allowing the same PUCCH resource to be used across multiple DL subframes and carriers. Each PUCCH resource is configured to handle ACK/NACK feedback for multiple downlink transmissions, reducing the total quantity of resources needed while maintaining reliable transmission through proper resource selection and mapping.

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

3Productivity

If ACK/NACK bundling is applied across multiple DL subframes, then the number of uplink control signals is reduced, but the precision of individual ACK/NACK feedback is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink control signal efficiencyVSAvoidindividual ACK/NACK feedback precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments ACK/NACK feedback into separate PUCCH resources for different DL subframes and carriers, allowing individual feedback precision to be maintained for each segment. At the same time, multiple segments can be transmitted efficiently in parallel, achieving both individual feedback precision and overall uplink control signal efficiency without requiring full bundling that would lose precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2681865B1Method and apparatus for transmitting ACK/NACK information in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2681865B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2681865B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2681865B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for transmitting ACK/NACK information in a wireless communication system are disclosed. In accordance with a method for transmitting ACK/NACK information, an ACK/NACK signal of downlink transmission in a downlink subframe set is transmitted in a single uplink subframe. In this case, if a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) format is established by a higher layer for a downlink receiver, and if one physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is transmitted in a downlink subframe set, the ACK/NACK information can be transmitted using a second PUCCH format on PUCCH resources established by a higher layer for the second PUCCH format.