ACK/NAK Resource Allocation in Multi-Carrier Wireless Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially in Carrier Aggregation configurations, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing ACK/NAK feedback resources, leading to increased overhead and interference due to the need for multiple acknowledgments across multiple downlink component carriers, which degrades network performance.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring multiple sets of ACK/NAK resources and using a physical layer indicator to optimize ACK/NAK feedback, allowing for explicit or implicit resource allocation based on upper layer configurations, thereby reducing overhead and improving resource utilization across multiple component carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple ACK/NAK resources are allocated for each downlink component carrier in Carrier Aggregation, then ACK/NAK feedback coverage is improved, but uplink overhead and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveACK/NAK feedback coverageVSAvoiduplink overhead and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ACK/NAK resource allocation by dividing downlink component carriers into different groups (first set and second set). Different PUCCH resource allocation schemes are applied to different groups: one scheme for the first set and another scheme for the second set. This segmentation allows the system to optimize resource usage for each group separately, reducing overall overhead while maintaining reliable feedback coverage across all carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple ACK/NAK resources are allocated for each downlink component carrier, then feedback reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PUCCH resource allocation where the specific resource index is determined by combining a base offset (configured via higher layer signaling) with dynamic adjustments (based on downlink grant information or CCE indices). This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt resource allocation to actual feedback needs, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining feedback reliability. The resource index formula n_PUCCH(1) = n_PUCCH(1)^offset + Δn_PUCCH(1) embodies this dynamic allocation strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2625808B1Control channel resources for multi-bit ACK/nak
Publication Date: 2017.09.27 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2625808B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2625808B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2625808B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of wireless communication includes receiving an upper layer configuration of multiple sets of ACK/NAK resources for uplink transmission. The receives resources correspond to at least one secondary downlink component carrier in a multicarrier configuration. The method also includes receiving a physical layer indicator of ACK/NAK resources in the sets.