Early Termination Signal for PUSCH HARQ-ACK Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio access networks face challenges in efficiently managing Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) processes for Machine Type Communications (MTC) UEs, particularly in reducing power consumption and optimizing network resource usage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an Early Termination Signal (ETS) and HARQ-ACK feedback mechanism for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) in Even Further Enhanced Machine Type Communication (EFEMTC) systems, allowing UEs to terminate repeated transmissions early based on feedback from the base station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If repeated PUSCH transmissions are performed to ensure reliable data delivery, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata delivery reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station sends early termination indication feedback to the UE when data is successfully decoded before all scheduled repetitions are transmitted. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to stop transmitting early, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable data delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing all scheduled repeated transmissions, the system allows partial action by terminating transmissions early once successful decoding is achieved. This avoids excessive power consumption while ensuring reliable delivery through the necessary minimum repetitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If repeated PUSCH transmissions are performed to ensure reliable data delivery, then reliability is improved, but transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata delivery reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The early termination indication feedback enables the system to identify when successful decoding has occurred, allowing immediate termination of remaining repetitions. This reduces transmission time while maintaining reliability by continuing transmissions only until successful decoding is achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Once successful decoding is confirmed through feedback, the system skips the remaining scheduled repetitions and rushes through to completion by terminating early. This eliminates unnecessary time consumption while preserving reliable data delivery through the already successful transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Use of energy by moving object

If early termination is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidHARQ feedback mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The early termination indication utilizes existing HARQ feedback channels and mechanisms, making the solution multi-functional. The same feedback infrastructure serves both traditional HARQ acknowledgment and early termination signaling, avoiding additional complex dedicated signaling mechanisms.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The base station automatically generates and sends early termination indications based on its decoding status without requiring additional complex coordination or signaling from the UE. The system serves itself by utilizing existing feedback channels to communicate termination needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4135233B1Design of early termination signal and HARQ-ACK feedback for pusch
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 APPLE INC
  • EP4135233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4135233B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4135233B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods of early termination of uplink data transmissions for a UE are described. The UE transmits capacity information that indicates that the UE supports use of an ETS. The ETS indicates successful reception by the eNB of the uplink data prior to an end of a scheduled transmission period to transmit repeated instances of the data. The UE receives a schedule for repeated transmissions of the data that is based on a coverage level of the UE, and then transmits sets of one or more repetitions. After the transmission, the UE monitors a predetermined resource whether the ETS is present or whether the ETS indicates an ACK. If the ETS indicates successful reception, the UE terminates transmission of the remaining repetitions of the data and enters a sleep mode or transmits other uplink data.