Flexible Control Reporting in Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies due to the use of fixed reporting schedules and types of reports, which do not adapt well to the unique and changing needs of individual wireless terminals, leading to excessive overhead and suboptimal resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of adaptive methods that allow wireless terminals to select the type of report to transmit based on current needs, incorporating flexible reports within a structured reporting schedule, enabling prioritization of information transmission according to factors like uplink data, interference, and changing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed reporting schedule with predetermined report types is used, then overhead for identifying report types is reduced and resource utilization is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to unique and changing needs of individual wireless terminals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to terminal needsVSAvoidreporting schedule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reporting schedule is segmented into fixed reporting slots (for standardized reports) and flexible reporting slots (for customized reports). This segmentation allows the system to maintain the simplicity of fixed scheduling while incorporating adaptability through dedicated flexible slots where terminals can request specific report types based on their unique needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reporting schedule transitions from a completely static fixed structure to a dynamic hybrid structure. Fixed slots maintain predetermined report types for consistency, while flexible slots allow dynamic adjustment where terminals can adaptively select report types based on changing conditions such as channel quality, traffic requirements, and latency constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible report selection is allowed for all reports, then adaptability to terminal needs is maximized, but overhead for managing and identifying report types becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereport flexibilityVSAvoidoverhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Flexibility is applied locally rather than globally. Specific reporting slots are designated as flexible to accommodate terminal-specific needs, while other slots remain fixed for standardized reporting. This localized application of flexibility reduces overall overhead while maintaining necessary adaptability for unique terminal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing full flexibility for all reports (excessive action), the system applies partial flexibility only to specific slots where adaptability is most beneficial. This partial action approach achieves sufficient adaptability for unique terminal needs while avoiding the excessive overhead that would result from complete flexibility across all reporting instances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If fixed report types are transmitted according to schedule, then overhead is minimized and resource efficiency is improved, but the most relevant information may not be transmitted when terminal conditions change rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidrelevant information transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where terminals monitor their own conditions (channel quality, traffic requirements, latency constraints) and use flexible reporting slots to request specific report types when conditions warrant it. This feedback loop ensures that relevant information is transmitted when needed while maintaining resource efficiency through the predominance of fixed scheduled reports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9148795B2Methods and apparatus for flexible reporting of control information

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Reporting methods well suited for reporting control information in a wireless system are described. A wireless terminal reports information to a serving base station, e.g., a base station attachment point, according to a reporting schedule. The reporting schedule includes a plurality of different types of fixed type information reports which communicate information of a type dictated by the reporting schedule. The reporting schedule also includes flexible reports at predetermined locations within the reporting schedule. The wireless terminal selects the type of report to be communicated in the flexible report, e.g., as a function of a report prioritization operation. Information identifying the wireless terminal's report type selection for the flexible report is jointly coded along with the report body information and communicated in the same dedicated control channel segment. The reporting schedule repeats over time. In some embodiments there are more fixed reports than flexible reports in one iteration of the schedule.