Beam-Based HARQ-ACK Handling for Unavailable Uplink Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently performing beam-based communication, particularly in scenarios where the beam related to a grant is not available, leading to inefficiencies in hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for wireless communication that includes receiving and transmitting HARQ-ACK information on an uplink control channel, with the capability to transmit a negative acknowledgement (NACK) when the beam related to the grant is not available, ensuring effective communication protocols are maintained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beam-based communication is implemented in wireless communication systems, then communication performance and data rate are improved, but system complexity and difficulty in beam management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication data rateVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiving device sends HARQ-ACK information back to the transmitting device to indicate whether data was successfully received through the beam. This feedback loop enables dynamic beam adjustment and optimization, improving communication reliability while managing system complexity through structured information exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through automatic beam selection and HARQ-ACK based beam failure detection. When a beam fails, the system automatically detects the failure through missing HARQ-ACK feedback and initiates beam recovery procedures without requiring manual intervention, thereby managing complexity through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If HARQ-ACK processes are enhanced for beam unavailability detection, then communication reliability is improved, but processing time and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple candidate beams before communication begins. When the primary beam fails, the system can quickly switch to a pre-prepared alternative beam without extensive search time, thus maintaining high reliability while minimizing the time loss associated with beam recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements skipping by directly detecting beam failure through the absence of HARQ-ACK feedback and immediately initiating beam switching procedures. This approach skips intermediate diagnostic steps and rushes through the critical beam recovery process, reducing latency while maintaining reliability through the straightforward failure detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP4668988A1Method and device for performing communication on basis of beam in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4668988A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668988A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668988A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method by which a first device performs wireless communication, and a device for supporting same are provided. The method may comprise the steps of: receiving, from a second device, information related to a grant and information related to an uplink control channel for reporting hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-acknowledgement (ACK); and transmitting, to the second device, the HARQ-ACK information on the uplink control channel. For example, on the basis that a beam related to the grant is not available, the HARQ-ACK information transmitted to the second device on the uplink control channel can be negative acknowledgement (NACK).