Flexible HARQ Feedback Timing for 5G Delay Reduction

The patent applies dynamics by making the HARQ feedback timing flexible rather than fixed. The base station dynamically determines the timing between data transmission and HARQ feedback based on user equipment processing capabilities and network conditions. This is achieved through configurable time domain unit offsets and multiple possible feedback timing options, allowing the system to adapt timing to minimize delay while accommodating different device capabilities.

The patent changes the timing parameter of HARQ feedback from a fixed value to a configurable range. By introducing multiple time domain units and allowing the offset between data transmission time and feedback time to be adjusted, the system can optimize the timing parameter to reduce delay. The base station can select different timing configurations based on channel conditions and device capabilities.

The system dynamically adjusts the HARQ feedback timing based on the actual processing capabilities of each user equipment. Rather than using a conservative fixed interval that guarantees reliability but increases delay, the system can adaptively select shorter intervals for capable devices and longer intervals for devices needing more processing time, thus optimizing both reliability and delay performance.

The patent applies local quality by allowing different user equipments to have different HARQ feedback timing configurations tailored to their specific processing capabilities. Each device can be assigned an appropriate time domain unit offset that matches its processing speed, rather than using a one-size-fits-all timing scheme. This enables high-capability devices to operate with shorter delays while low-capability devices maintain sufficient processing time.

The patent uses downlink control information (DCI) formats that serve multiple functions: they carry scheduling information, HARQ acknowledgments, and timing indications all in one message. The DCI structure is designed to accommodate flexible timing configurations without requiring separate dedicated signaling channels, thus reducing overall signaling complexity while enabling delay optimization.

The patent combines multiple control functions into unified signaling messages. The timing information for HARQ feedback is merged with the scheduling grant or acknowledgment in the DCI, eliminating the need for separate timing configuration messages. This consolidation reduces signaling overhead while maintaining the flexibility needed for optimized timing.