Flexible Transmission Timing Indication for 5G NR Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems, particularly 5G NR technology, lack flexibility in indicating transmission timing, which limits efficient data and control information transmission and HARQ acknowledgement timing, especially in scenarios requiring dynamic adjustments and mini-slot based scheduling.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of flexible transmission timing using at least two parameters: one indicating an offset in the number of slots and another indicating the position of a symbol within a slot or mini-slot, allowing for dynamic scheduling and HARQ acknowledgement timing adjustments, enabling slot-based or mini-slot-based scheduling and supporting various numerologies and duplex modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If slot-based scheduling is used with fixed duration (7 or 14 symbols), then system simplicity is maintained, but transmission timing flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The slot structure is segmented into mini-slots (1-2 symbols) that can be independently scheduled, allowing flexible transmission timing while maintaining the overall slot framework. This enables multiple mini-slots within a slot for different UE transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic scheduling parameters including slot offset (k0, k2), mini-slot offset (l0, l2), and symbol position indicators that can be adjusted based on traffic requirements, transforming the fixed slot-based scheduling into a dynamic system supporting both slot and mini-slot transmissions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mini-slot based scheduling is implemented for multiple UEs, then transmission timing flexibility improves, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple scheduling parameters (slot offset, mini-slot offset, symbol position) are merged into a unified timing indication mechanism where a single DCI can specify timing for multiple UEs using shared reference slots and differentiated offsets, reducing redundant signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing indication mechanism is designed to be universal, supporting both slot-based and mini-slot-based scheduling, single-UE and multi-UE scenarios, and different numerologies through a common parameter set that adapts to various scheduling requirements.
3Loss of time
If fixed slot duration is used for HARQ timing, then timing alignment is simplified, but latency reduction capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes preliminary timing relationships through configured offsets (k0, k2 for scheduling; l0, l2 for HARQ) that are determined in advance, allowing the UE to calculate exact transmission and reception times without real-time negotiation, thus reducing latency while managing complexity through pre-configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic parameter changes for HARQ timing by allowing different slot and mini-slot offsets to be configured for different HARQ processes and traffic types, optimizing latency for urgent transmissions while maintaining stability for regular communications.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from improved signaling. For example, a new radio communication system may benefit from a flexible indication of transmission timing. A method may include determining, at the user equipment, transmission timing based on a first parameter and a second parameter. The first parameter may indicate an offset as a number of slots. The second parameter may indicate an offset as a number of symbols within one of the slots. The method may also include using the transmission timing to at least one of send an uplink transmission or receive a downlink transmission.