HARQ-ACK Feedback Consolidation for Carrier Aggregation Spectrum Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In carrier aggregation systems, the preset time sequence relationship between data transmission and acknowledgement feedback limits the use of frequency spectrum resources, resulting in a restricted peak transmission rate due to the need for time division HARQ-ACK feedback to multiple base stations, which prevents simultaneous downlink data scheduling across multiple carriers.

Innovation Solution

The data receive end sends HARQ-ACK information for multiple HARQ process data at a single moment, including feedback for data not previously acknowledged, allowing the data transmit end to send HARQ process data in multiple downlink carriers simultaneously, thereby optimizing the use of frequency spectrum resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If time division manner is used to transmit HARQ-ACK feedback to multiple base stations, then the preset time sequence relationship is satisfied, but the frequency spectrum resource cannot be fully used and peak transmission rate is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ-ACK feedback reliabilityVSAvoidpeak transmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges HARQ-ACK feedback for multiple downlink carriers into a single uplink transmission opportunity. Instead of using time division manner to separately feedback to each base station, the UE combines all HARQ-ACK information and feeds back simultaneously through a unified uplink resource, thereby fully utilizing frequency spectrum resources and achieving higher peak transmission rate while maintaining feedback reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the feedback dimension from time-division (sequential feedback to different base stations) to frequency-division (simultaneous feedback to multiple base stations through carrier aggregation). By introducing carrier aggregation technology, the system allows the UE to transmit HARQ-ACK feedback for multiple carriers simultaneously on the uplink, transforming the limitation of time sequence into an opportunity for parallel transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If simultaneous downlink data scheduling on multiple carriers is enabled, then frequency spectrum resource utilization improves, but the preset time sequence relationship for HARQ-ACK feedback cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency spectrum resource utilizationVSAvoidtime sequence relationship compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a unified uplink transmission resource as an intermediary that collects and consolidates HARQ-ACK feedback from multiple downlink carriers. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain the preset time sequence relationship while enabling simultaneous downlink scheduling, as all feedback arrives at their respective base stations through a coordinated uplink transmission opportunity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3048750B1Data transmission method, apparatus, and device
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3048750B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3048750B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3048750B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a data transmission method, apparatus, and device. The method includes: receiving a Pth piece of hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ process data sent by a data transmit end at an Nth moment, where P is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; and sending Q pieces of hybrid automatic repeat request feedback HARQ-ACK information to the data transmit end at an Mth moment, where the Q pieces of HARQ-ACK information are feedbacks corresponding to Q pieces of HARQ process data whose HARQ-ACK information is not received by the data transmit end before the Mth moment, the Q pieces of HARQ-ACK information include a Pth piece of HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the Pth piece of HARQ process data, and M is a positive integer greater than N. According to the method provided in the present invention, a frequency spectrum resource of a carrier aggregation system between base stations can be fully used, which improves a peak transmission rate of a user.