HARQ Process Number Assignment for eMTC Subframe Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing wireless communication systems, the first two subframes of a transmission bundle cannot be used for data signal transmission due to restrictions, limiting the peak data rate.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves determining a HARQ process number for a transport block (TB) using various methods, such as the HARQ process field of a control signal, fixed numbers, or predefined values, to enable data transmission in the previously restricted subframes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the first two subframes of a transmission bundle are used for data signal transmission, then the peak data rate increases, but the system complexity increases due to HARQ process number management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak data rateVSAvoidHARQ process number management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the HARQ process number parameter dynamically based on the subframe index and transmission bundle structure. By using different HARQ process numbers for different subframes (e.g., using subframe index modulo operations), the system enables data transmission in previously restricted subframes while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic parameter assignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission bundle is segmented into different subframe groups with distinct HARQ process number assignments. The first two subframes are allocated separate HARQ processes from the traditional data-bearing subframes, allowing independent management and tracking of HARQ processes for each segment, thus resolving the complexity issue while enabling increased data rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If HARQ process numbers are determined dynamically for each subframe, then data transmission flexibility increases, but the processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The HARQ process numbers are predetermined and assigned to specific subframes based on the transmission bundle configuration. This preliminary assignment eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during data transmission, reducing processing overhead while maintaining the flexibility to use all subframes for data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic patterns for HARQ process number assignment, such as using subframe index modulo the number of HARQ processes. This periodic approach provides systematic flexibility in subframe utilization while simplifying the determination process through repeatable patterns, thereby reducing processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12206512B2Scheduling enhancement for enhanced machine-type communication

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for scheduling enhancement for eMTC are disclosed. A method comprises determining a HARQ process number for a transport block (TB), wherein the HARQ process number is determined by at least one of a HARQ process field of a control signal, a fixed HARQ process number, a HARQ process number of earliest scheduled process in a time duration, a HARQ process number of a process with earliest feedback in a time duration, a scrambling code of the TB, and a predefined HARQ process number of a process in an earliest feedback bundle; and transmitting the TB with the determined HARQ process number.