Acknowledgement Resource Allocation for Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently determining and managing acknowledgement resources, particularly during initial access and handover procedures, which can lead to resource collisions and reduced system performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that involve receiving initial acknowledgement resource information from a base station, determining which subset of acknowledgement resources to use based on this information, and causing the user device to transmit acknowledgements on the determined resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated PRBs are reserved between SR and ACK/NACK resources for enhanced PUCCH UEs, then resource collision is avoided, but resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacknowledgement resource collision avoidanceVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PUCCH resource space by identifying and isolating dedicated PRBs between SR and ACK/NACK resources. This segmentation creates distinct resource zones that prevent collision while maintaining manageable allocation through clear boundary definition rather than complex global coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-reserving dedicated PRBs between SR and ACK/NACK resources before conflicts can occur. This advance resource provisioning ensures collision-free operation during critical phases like initial access and handover without requiring complex real-time allocation decisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If initial acknowledgement resource information is provided during access procedures, then resource management efficiency is improved, but signalling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacknowledgement resource management efficiencyVSAvoidsignalling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides initial acknowledgement resource information during access procedures in advance, before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary resource configuration enables efficient resource management during critical phases while the information can be conveyed through compact signalling formats that minimize overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by encoding acknowledgement resource information in compact forms during initial access. The resource information is transmitted using efficient signalling parameters that reduce overhead while still providing the necessary resource allocation details for improved management efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4002746B1Method and apparatus for allocating acknowledgement resources
Publication Date: 2025.02.26 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4002746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4002746B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4002746B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method comprises receiving initial acknowledgement resource information at a user device from a base station. The initial acknowledgement resource information is associated with a subset of acknowledgement resources. The method comprises determining in dependence on the initial acknowledgement resource information which of the subset of acknowledgement resources is to be used. The user device transmits an acknowledgement on the determined resource.