Beam-Aware UCI Multiplexing for Overlapping PUSCH and PUCCH

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication methods in 5G networks fail to ensure high transmission reliability and low latency for shared and control channels, leading to deteriorated performance and user experience, particularly in scenarios where PUSCH and PUCCH overlap, and existing solutions like piggybacking UCI on PUSCH or time-domain repeated transmission do not adequately address reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device determines transmission occasions for control information based on beamforming techniques of both shared and control channels, optimizing transmission reliability and considering data reliability on shared channels, even in overlapping scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional transmission solutions are used for shared and control channels, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission reliability and latency performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission solution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines control channel (PUCCH) and shared channel (PUSCH) transmissions by multiplexing control information (UCI) onto the shared channel resources. When PUCCH and PUSCH resources overlap in time-frequency domain, the control information is merged with data transmission on PUSCH, eliminating the need for separate control channel transmission and improving reliability while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation and selection mechanisms where the terminal device dynamically determines whether to transmit control information on PUCCH or multiplex it on PUSCH based on resource overlap conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize transmission reliability for different scenarios without requiring complex fixed structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If control information is multiplexed on shared channel, then transmission reliability improves, but resource utilization efficiency worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial multiplexing where control information is only multiplexed on shared channel when resource overlap occurs and reliability is compromised. In non-overlapping scenarios, control information is transmitted separately on PUCCH to maintain optimal resource utilization. This partial application of multiplexing balances reliability improvement with resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter of control information dynamically - switching between separate transmission (PUCCH) and multiplexed transmission (PUSCH) based on resource allocation parameters. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different resource utilization conditions while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If time-domain repeated transmission is used, then transmission reliability improves, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary resource allocation and conflict detection before transmission, allowing the terminal device to proactively determine the optimal transmission method (separate or multiplexed) to avoid the need for retransmission. This preliminary action prevents latency increases that would result from time-domain repeated transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network device receives control information and provides acknowledgments, allowing the terminal device to determine whether retransmission is necessary. This feedback-driven approach reduces unnecessary repeated transmissions and minimizes latency while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4171154B1Method and apparatus for communication, terminal device, network device, and medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4171154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4171154B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP4171154B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method and apparatus, a terminal device, a network device, and a medium. In the method, the terminal device receives first scheduling information from the network device, where the first scheduling information indicates a set of shared channel transmission occasions and a first beamforming manner of a shared channel. The terminal device receives second scheduling information from the network device, where the second scheduling information indicates a control channel transmission occasion and/or a second beamforming manner of a control channel. If the terminal device determines that time domain resources of the control channel transmission occasion and one or more shared channel transmission occasions in the set of shared channel transmission occasions at least partially overlap, the terminal device determines at least one shared channel transmission occasion from the set based on at least one of the first beamforming manner and the second beamforming manner. The terminal device sends control information associated with the control channel to the network device on the at least one shared channel transmission occasion. In this manner, performance of communication between the terminal device and the network device can be improved.