EN-DC HARQ Timing Configuration for Intermodulation Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in efficiently managing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing configurations for dual connectivity scenarios, particularly in EN-DC, which can lead to intermodulation distortion and limitations in uplink transmissions.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves determining a component carrier configuration for a primary cell and applying a corresponding HARQ timing configuration for a secondary cell, allowing for flexible numerologies and transmission durations to optimize HARQ timing, thereby reducing intermodulation distortion and enabling efficient uplink transmissions in EN-DC wireless communication devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed HARQ timing configurations are used in EN-DC, then system complexity is reduced, but intermodulation distortion occurs and uplink transmission efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ timing configuration complexityVSAvoidintermodulation distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making HARQ timing configurations flexible and adaptable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts HARQ timing based on numerology parameters and transmission characteristics, allowing the configuration to change according to operational conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to maintain simplicity through standardized procedures while achieving performance improvements through adaptive timing adjustments that prevent intermodulation distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including HARQ timing offsets, numerology parameters (subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix lengths), and transmission durations. By adjusting these parameters based on the specific EN-DC configuration and channel conditions, the system optimizes HARQ timing to avoid intermodulation distortion while maintaining manageable complexity through parameterized configurations rather than complex structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If flexible numerologies and transmission durations are applied, then uplink transmission efficiency is improved, but HARQ timing configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission efficiencyVSAvoidHARQ timing configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ timing configuration into multiple independent components including numerology parameters, timing offsets, and transmission duration settings. Each segment can be independently optimized and configured based on specific transmission requirements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve flexible uplink transmissions while managing complexity by breaking down the overall configuration into manageable, modular parameters that can be set independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-generated harmful factors

If HARQ timing is aligned with component carrier configurations, then interference is reduced, but adaptability to different transmission scenarios is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidtransmission scenario adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal HARQ timing configuration framework that can serve multiple transmission scenarios through parameterization. The same basic configuration structure and alignment principles apply across different numerologies, carrier frequencies, and transmission types. This universality reduces interference through consistent alignment while maintaining adaptability by allowing parameter adjustments within the unified framework to accommodate various transmission scenarios without requiring scenario-specific configuration structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3782313B1En-DC time division multiplexing and carrier aggregation
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3782313B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782313B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3782313B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless communication device may determine a component carrier configuration for a primary cell of the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device is configured for dual connectivity with regard to a 4G/Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and a 5G/New Radio network; and apply a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing configuration for a secondary cell of the wireless communication device based at least in part on the component carrier configuration. Numerous other aspects are provided.