Distributed HARQ Protocol Termination for Macro-Diversity Downlink
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
HARQ protocol de-synchronization occurs in downlink macro-diversity transmissions, where multiple network nodes transmit data to a single receiver, leading to inefficiencies and increased delay in downlink data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed HARQ protocol operation where only one network node terminates the HARQ protocol, with multiple nodes sending the initial transmission in a single transmission time interval, and the designated node handling all retransmissions, thereby eliminating the need for synchronization between nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple network nodes transmit data packets to a mobile terminal in downlink macro-diversity transmissions, then reliability and coverage are improved, but HARQ protocol de-synchronization occurs leading to increased delay and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the HARQ protocol termination function from the distributed network nodes and concentrates it in a single selected network node. This allows multiple nodes to transmit data packets for diversity gain while only one node handles HARQ feedback, eliminating synchronization delays and protocol de-synchronization issues while maintaining transmission reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network nodes handle HARQ protocol operations independently, then transmission diversity is achieved, but signaling overhead and coordination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the HARQ protocol handling responsibility from all network nodes and assigns it to a single selected node. This reduces the complexity of HARQ protocol coordination while preserving the macro-diversity transmission capability, as only one node needs to manage HARQ feedback and retransmissions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the HARQ protocol termination function into a single network node while maintaining separate data transmission paths from multiple nodes. This consolidation reduces signaling overhead and coordination complexity while preserving the benefits of multi-node transmission diversity
3Stability of the object's composition
If HARQ feedback is synchronized among multiple network nodes, then protocol consistency is maintained, but signaling overhead and processing delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the HARQ feedback reception and processing function from multiple network nodes and concentrates it in a single selected node. This eliminates the need for HARQ feedback synchronization among multiple nodes, reducing signaling overhead and processing delay while maintaining protocol consistency through the centralized handling node
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a downlink transmission scheme that supports downlink HARQ operation and macro-diversity that is capable of overcoming the problem of HARQ protocol de-synchronization when using HARQ in the downlink with multiple data transmitting network nodes. In this scheme, a distributed HARQ protocol operation for downlink data transmissions involving multiple network nodes is provided, where only one network node is terminating downlink HARQ protocol operation towards to mobile terminal, i.e. retransmissions of a data packet are sent from a single network node, a single HARQ transmitter, to the mobile terminal. The multiple network nodes send a first transmission of the data packet to the mobile terminal in a single transmission time interval using HARQ. One of the multiple network nodes is designated as the HARQ terminating node that controls/handles all retransmissions of the data packet.