Configured Grant Feedback for Low-Latency NR-U Carrier Aggregation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR technologies, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in transmitting uplink data without an explicit physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) grant due to low latency requirements, and there is a need for improved methods to determine resource carriers for feedback in unlicensed spectrum carrier aggregation.

Innovation Solution

The UE and base station employ configured grant configurations to transmit and receive feedback on specific carriers based on predefined settings, using various options for configured grant-deficiency feedback indicator (CG-DFI) feedback, activation/deactivation, and carrier aggregation modes to optimize communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE waits to receive an explicit PDCCH UL grant before transmitting UL data, then the system maintains reliable control signaling, but the transmission latency increases which violates low latency requirements in 5G NR

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signaling reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures grant parameters (resources, power, modulation) for the UE before data transmission is needed. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to transmit UL data immediately when data arrives without waiting for dynamic PDCCH grants, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliability through pre-established control parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the UE transmits UL data without receiving an explicit PDCCH grant using configured grant, then transmission latency is reduced, but the UE cannot determine which carriers contain feedback for the transmitted data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidfeedback carrier identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where the network sends ACK/NACK responses on specific carriers that the UE can identify through pre-configured carrier associations or DCI indicators. This allows the UE to transmit autonomously while still receiving reliable feedback information about transmission success

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network uses intermediate signaling elements such as DCI formats or RRC configuration parameters to indicate which carriers will carry feedback for configured grant transmissions. This intermediary information bridges the gap between autonomous transmission and feedback reception

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the system uses configured grant configurations for autonomous UL transmission, then transmission efficiency improves, but the complexity of managing multiple carriers and feedback indicators increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidcarrier and feedback management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates universal DCI formats and RRC configuration structures that can handle multiple carriers and feedback scenarios through standardized fields. These multi-functional configurations reduce the need for separate management mechanisms for each carrier, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high transmission efficiency

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

Data Source

PatentEP3928581B1Configured grant operation for new radio unlicensed spectrum carrier aggregation
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3928581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3928581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3928581B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Configured grant operations for new radio (NR) unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) carrier aggregation (CA) are disclosed. In an aspect, a method of wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) may include transmitting uplink (UL) data to a base station according to a configured grant configuration. The method may also include determining a carrier to receive feedback from the base station based on the configured grant configuration. The method may further include receiving feedback from the base station on the carrier in response to the transmitting of the UL data.