Contention-Based PUSCH Scheduling for UCI Collision Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in uplink control information (UCI) transmission due to unsuitable resource allocation and collisions between user equipments (UEs), particularly in licensed spectrum, leading to latency and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing contention-based physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) with dynamic DMRS cyclic shifts and PHICH resource management to identify and differentiate UEs, allowing shared resource use and reducing collisions, along with TTI bundling for improved coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If uplink resources are scheduled according to semi-persistent grant, then resource allocation is simplified, but unused resources occur when UE does not have UL data to transmit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidunused uplink resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic scheduling for uplink resources, allowing the base station to allocate resources adaptively based on actual data transmission needs. This resolves the contradiction by making the resource allocation flexible rather than static, ensuring resources are allocated only when needed while maintaining simple grant mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the scheduling parameter from semi-persistent to dynamic allocation, allowing the system to adjust resource allocation based on traffic conditions. This parameter change eliminates wasted resources while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized dynamic scheduling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If resources are assigned to multiple UEs, then resource utilization improves, but collisions between transmissions from different UEs occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidtransmission collision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report channel conditions and transmission status to the base station. This feedback enables the base station to detect potential collisions and adjust resource allocation dynamically, resolving the contradiction by maintaining high resource utilization while preventing transmission conflicts through continuous monitoring and adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary scheduling decisions where the base station pre-coordinates resource allocation among multiple UEs based on predicted traffic patterns and channel conditions. This preliminary action prevents collisions before they occur while maintaining high resource utilization through efficient advance planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If contention-based scheduling is implemented, then latency is reduced, but control channel overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidcontrol channel overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control information into different types and handles them through different channels. Urgent scheduling requests use contention-based short messages for low latency, while detailed control information uses conventional channels. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by reducing latency for critical functions while managing overall control overhead through selective use of contention-based mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3391573B1Contention-based physical uplink shared channel
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3391573B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3391573B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3391573B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may identify uplink (UL) control information (UCI) to transmit during a subframe. The UE may then select a UL channel on which to transmit the UCI based on whether a shared data and control UL channel employs contention-based scheduling. For example, multiple UEs could contend for access to the same semi-persistently scheduled (SPS) physical UL shared channel (PUSCH). Each UE may utilize a different demodulation reference (DMRS) signal cyclic shift to identify their transmissions. In some cases, some UCI, such as channel state information (CSI), may be transmitted on a contention-based PUSCH, while other UCI, such as acknowledgement information, may be transmitted on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). In some cases, the channel selection may be based on a configuration received from a base station.