Flexible Channel Duration Formats for Wireless Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G and LTE, face challenges in efficiently managing channel durations and formats to accommodate varying payload sizes and dynamic conditions, leading to suboptimal performance in terms of data transmission efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of flexible channel designs that allow for multiple channel formats with varying durations, selected based on payload size and configured to include fixed demodulation reference signals and frequency hopping options, enabling dynamic adjustments in channel configurations to optimize data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed channel duration formats are used in wireless communication systems, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates due to inability to accommodate varying payload sizes and dynamic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidchannel format complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel formats where the duration of channels (PUCCH, PUSCH, PDSCH, PDCCH) can be flexibly adjusted based on payload size and transmission conditions. Instead of fixed durations, the system dynamically selects appropriate channel durations from a set of predefined options, allowing the channel structure to adapt to varying data volumes and channel conditions, thereby improving transmission efficiency without requiring completely new complex protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of channel duration from fixed to variable by introducing multiple duration options (e.g., 1-2 symbols for short PUCCH, 4-14 symbols for long PUCCH, 4-14 symbols for PUSCH). The system selects appropriate duration parameters based on payload size indicators and channel conditions, enabling efficient resource utilization across different traffic scenarios while maintaining a manageable parameter set

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed channel duration formats are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different payload sizes and channel conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel format adaptabilityVSAvoidchannel configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic channel format selection where devices can adapt channel durations to match varying payload sizes and channel conditions. The UE determines appropriate channel formats based on payload size indicators received from the network, enabling the system to handle diverse traffic types (small control messages, large data transmissions) with appropriate channel configurations without requiring complex real-time negotiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal channel format structures that can serve multiple functions across different scenarios. The same channel format definitions are used for various purposes (acknowledgments, channel quality indicators, scheduling requests, data transmission) by simply adjusting the duration parameter, eliminating the need for separate specialized channel definitions for each use case

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

3Productivity

If channel formats are optimized for specific payload sizes, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but the number of channel format variants increases leading to increased system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidchannel format flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes resource utilization by changing the duration parameter of existing channel formats to match different payload sizes. Instead of creating entirely new channel types, the system uses parameter variation (duration: 1-2 symbols for small payloads, 4-14 symbols for large payloads) within established channel format families, achieving efficient resource allocation while maintaining format consistency and reducing the number of unique format definitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3619881B1Channel formats with flexible duration in wireless communications
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3619881B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3619881B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3619881B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects herein describe determining a channel format for transmitting uplink communications in a slot, wherein the channel format is selected from multiple channel formats based at least in part on a payload size of the uplink communications, determining a starting symbol and an ending symbol of an uplink channel duration of the slot for transmitting the uplink communications, determining, based at least in part on the starting symbol and the ending symbol, a portion of the channel format to utilize in transmitting the uplink communications in the slot, and transmitting the uplink communications in the slot, wherein transmitting the uplink communications is based on the portion of the channel format.