DCI-Based Beam Activation HARQ Feedback Latency

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing beam configurations and pathloss reference signals, leading to significant latency and overhead due to frequent changes in beam management parameters and pathloss reference signal parameters, especially in scenarios with rapid UE mobility or blockages.

Innovation Solution

Implementing physical-layer signaling for uplink and downlink beam activation information and pathloss reference signal activation information within DCI communications, allowing user equipment (UE) to selectively transmit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback to ensure reliable communication and reduce latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If frequent changes in beam management parameters and pathloss reference signal parameters are made to adapt to rapid UE mobility or blockages, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the latency and overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple beam management parameters and pathloss reference signal parameters before they are actually needed. The base station can quickly switch between pre-configured parameters when UE mobility or blockages occur, eliminating the need for time-consuming parameter generation and transmission during critical moments, thus reducing latency while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the beam management and pathloss reference signal parameters into separate, manageable configurations that can be independently activated. By dividing the parameter set into discrete segments (e.g., different beam directions, different reference signal types), the system can selectively activate only the necessary segments in response to mobility events, reducing overall overhead and latency compared to managing all parameters simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent changes in beam management parameters and pathloss reference signal parameters are made to adapt to rapid UE mobility or blockages, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidoverhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple beam management parameters and pathloss reference signal parameters before they are actually needed. The base station can quickly switch between pre-configured parameters when UE mobility or blockages occur, eliminating the need for time-consuming parameter generation and transmission during critical moments, thus reducing latency while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential parameter information that needs to be transmitted dynamically, separating it from the full parameter set. By taking out only the critical changes (e.g., beam index, reference signal type) rather than transmitting complete parameter configurations, the system significantly reduces overhead while maintaining the ability to adapt to mobility and blockage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If HARQ feedback is transmitted for DCI communications containing beam and pathloss reference signal activation information, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE sends HARQ feedback for DCI communications containing beam and pathloss reference signal activation information. This feedback loop allows the base station to confirm successful parameter transmission and activation, ensuring reliable communication. The feedback is designed to be efficient and timely, balancing reliability requirements with latency constraints through optimized feedback timing and content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12160318B2HARQ feedback for DCI-based beam configuration and/or pathloss reference signal configuration

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a downlink control information (DCI) communication that includes downlink and/or uplink beam activation information or pathloss reference signal activation information. The UE may determine whether to transmit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback for the DCI communication. The UE may selectively transmit the HARQ feedback based at least in part on determining whether to transmit the HARQ feedback for the DCI communication. Numerous other aspects are provided.