Dynamic PUCCH Symbol Allocation for 5G Uplink Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless communications, the existing methods for transmitting information on the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) lack flexibility due to fixed symbol locations, leading to inefficient resource utilization and increased signaling overheads, especially when the PUCCH is transmitted over multiple slots.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining dynamic uplink symbols within each slot for PUCCH transmission, allowing the terminal or base station to select uplink symbols based on preset rules, ensuring that the PUCCH is not transmitted on fixed symbols, thereby enhancing flexibility and reducing resource waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If PUCCH is transmitted on fixed symbols in each slot, then the transmission structure is simple and easy to implement, but the flexibility of transmission is reduced and resource utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implementationVSAvoidtransmission flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed symbol locations for PUCCH transmission to dynamic symbol selection. The base station determines uplink symbols based on slot formats and dynamically indicates start symbols and symbol quantities to terminals through downlink control information, allowing the PUCCH transmission structure to adapt flexibly to different slot configurations while maintaining implementation feasibility through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If PUCCH is transmitted on fixed symbols, then the resource allocation is straightforward, but resource utilization efficiency decreases due to inability to adapt to varying slot formats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the start symbol and symbol quantity of PUCCH transmission to vary dynamically based on slot format conditions. Different slot formats (with varying numbers and positions of uplink symbols) trigger different PUCCH transmission parameters, enabling efficient resource utilization across diverse scenarios while maintaining manageable allocation complexity through rule-based determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If PUCCH transmission uses fixed symbol locations, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the ability to handle multiple slot transmissions flexibly is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidmulti-slot transmission adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the multi-slot PUCCH transmission into independently controllable units. Each slot's PUCCH transmission can be individually configured with specific start symbols and symbol quantities based on that slot's format, allowing flexible adaptation to different slot conditions while managing signaling overhead through efficient representation of these segmented transmission parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3694278B1Information sending and receiving method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3694278B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3694278B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3694278B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

This application provides an information sending and receiving method and an information sending and receiving apparatus, to improve flexibility of sending information carried on a PUCCH. The method includes: determining, by a terminal, mi uplink symbols in the ith slot; and sending, by the terminal on the mi uplink symbols, information carried on a first PUCCH in the kth slot, where the kth slot is the kth slot in K slots used to transmit information carried on first PUCCHs, a value of mi is the same as a quantity of symbols occupied by the first PUCCH in the kth slot, K is an integer greater than 1, k is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to K, mi is an integer greater than 0, and i is an integer greater than 0. This application relates to the field of communications technologies.