HARQ-ACK Feedback Management for Multi-TRP 5G NR Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR wireless communication systems, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) acknowledgement feedback for multiple Transmit Receive Points (TRPs), particularly in scenarios with ideal and non-ideal backhaul conditions, which affects the reliability and robustness of data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method that determines and transmits either separate or joint HARQ-ACK feedback, where separate feedback is sent through multiple uplink resources and joint feedback through a single uplink resource, using configurations of control resource sets (CORESETs) to optimize HARQ acknowledgement transmission across multiple TRPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate HARQ-ACK feedback is transmitted through multiple uplink resources for each TRP, then the reliability of data transmission is improved, but the device complexity and resource management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments HARQ-ACK feedback into separate feedback streams for different TRPs, with each TRP having its own PUCCH resource. This segmentation allows independent acknowledgment handling for each transmission point, improving reliability by ensuring that feedback for one TRP does not interfere with another, while maintaining manageable complexity through structured resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension in resource allocation by associating different PUCCH resources with different TRPs in the spatial domain. Instead of using a single uplink resource for all TRPs, the system allocates resources across multiple dimensions (time, frequency, and spatial/TRP dimension), thereby improving reliability through diversified feedback paths while keeping the management complexity organized through clear resource-to-TRP mapping.
2Device complexity
If joint HARQ-ACK feedback is transmitted through a single uplink resource, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and robustness of data transmission deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the system to switch between separate and joint HARQ-ACK feedback modes based on backhaul conditions. When backhaul is ideal, joint feedback reduces complexity; when backhaul is non-ideal, separate feedback enhances reliability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adjusting the feedback strategy to match current network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the feedback mode parameter (separate vs. joint) based on backhaul quality parameters. By monitoring backhaul conditions and adjusting the HARQ-ACK feedback configuration accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between complexity and reliability, selecting the appropriate feedback strategy to match the current operational environment.
3Reliability
If multiple PUCCH resources are allocated for different TRPs, then the robustness of HARQ acknowledgement transmission is improved, but the resource management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring PUCCH resources for different TRPs before actual data transmission begins. Through RRC signaling, the system establishes a mapping between TRPs and their dedicated PUCCH resources in advance, so that when HARQ feedback needs to be transmitted, the appropriate resource is already identified and ready, reducing real-time management overhead while maintaining robustness through pre-established multiple feedback paths.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK) feedback for multiple Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) based multiple Transmit Receive Points (TRP) transmission are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a receiver that receives a plurality of configurations of control resource sets (CORESETs), wherein each CORESET comprises a plurality of resource blocks (RBs) in frequency domain and a plurality of symbols in time domain, and time-frequency resources identified by the CORESET are used to transmit a Downlink Control Information (DCI); a processor that determines a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK) feedback selected from a group consisting of: a separate HARQ-ACK feedback and a joint HARQ-ACK feedback; and a transmitter that transmits the determined HARQ-ACK feedback; wherein the separate HARQ-ACK feedback is transmitted through a plurality of uplink resources; and the joint HARQ-ACK feedback is transmitted through one uplink resource.