Dynamic HARQ Process Allocation for Wireless Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing resources during peak usage scenarios, leading to potential resource shortages when designed for common load conditions, as they are not justified to handle worst-case load conditions due to increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques for controlling data transmission using hybrid automatic retransmission (HARQ) processes, where a UE determines and communicates its available HARQ processes to a Node B, allowing the system to dynamically adjust the number of HARQ processes for both guaranteed and non-guaranteed bit rate traffic, thereby optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE is designed to handle the worst-case load condition with sum of resource requirements of all applications, then the reliability of data transmission is improved, but the device complexity and cost greatly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic HARQ process allocation where the number of HARQ processes is not fixed but can be adjusted based on current system conditions. The network can dynamically configure the UE with different numbers of HARQ processes through RRC signaling, allowing the system to adapt resource capacity to actual load conditions rather than designing for worst-case scenarios statically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of HARQ process count from a fixed design value to a dynamically configurable parameter. By modifying this parameter through network signaling based on current traffic conditions, the system can optimize between reliability and device complexity without requiring the UE to be over-provisioned for worst-case conditions
2Device complexity
If the UE is designed to handle common load conditions with reduced resources, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases when running low on resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors its buffer status and resource availability, and the network monitors UE capacity indicators. This feedback allows the system to detect when resources are running low and trigger dynamic HARQ process reconfiguration to maintain reliability without requiring excessive initial resource provisioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static resource allocation to dynamic allocation where HARQ process counts can be increased or decreased based on real-time conditions. This allows the UE to start with lower resource complexity and scale up when needed, rather than being designed for maximum capacity from the outset
3Ease of operation
If the system allocates fixed number of HARQ processes to each UE, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases during peak usage scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic HARQ process allocation where the number of processes can be adjusted based on current load conditions. During peak usage scenarios, the network can allocate additional HARQ processes to active UEs to maintain productivity, while keeping the base configuration simple for normal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal HARQ allocation mechanism that can serve multiple functions: simple fixed allocation for normal conditions, dynamic scaling for peak conditions, and priority-based allocation for different traffic types. This multi-functional approach maintains ease of operation while enabling productivity improvements when needed
4Productivity
If the system increases the number of HARQ processes to handle peak loads, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements on-demand HARQ process allocation where additional processes are activated only when needed for peak load handling. The UE maintains a base configuration for normal operations with lower complexity, and can dynamically activate additional HARQ processes when traffic conditions require higher productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the peak-load handling capability from the base UE configuration and implements it as a separate, activatable feature. Instead of including all possible HARQ processes in the basic design, the system provides only the necessary number for common conditions and extracts additional processes as needed during peak scenarios
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for controlling data transmission in a wireless communication system based on hybrid automatic retransmission (HARQ) are described. In one design, a user equipment (UE) may determine the number of HARQ processes (Z) supported by the UE, e.g., based on the amount of resources available at the UE. The UE may send information indicative of the number of HARQ processes supported by the UE to a Node B. The UE may thereafter receive data from the Node B on up to Z HARQ processes. In one design, the UE may receive data for non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR) traffic on up to Z HARQ processes and may receive data for guaranteed bit rate (GBR) traffic on up to all HARQ processes available in the system. In another design, the UE may receive data for both GBR traffic and non-GBR traffic on up to Z HARQ processes.