HARQ-ACK Multiplexing via Dynamic MGI Indicators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in dynamically enabling and disabling the multiplexing of HARQ-ACK bits for different types of traffic, such as ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), which can impact latency and reliability performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a multiplexing group indicator (MGI) in downlink assignments allows for dynamic enabling and disabling of HARQ-ACK multiplexing, enabling multiple HARQ-ACK transmissions per slot by dividing PUCCH slots into sub-slots and prioritizing HARQ-ACK bits based on their traffic type, ensuring efficient system operation without degrading performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If HARQ-ACK bits for different traffic types are multiplexed in a single transmission opportunity, then system resource efficiency is improved, but reliability and latency performance of high-priority traffic may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments HARQ-ACK feedback into separate codebooks for different traffic types (e.g., eMBB and URLLC). The network can dynamically indicate whether to multiplex different codebooks or transmit them separately, allowing resource efficiency improvement when multiplexing is beneficial while maintaining reliability when separate transmission is needed for high-priority traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic enabling and disabling of multiplexing through network signaling (e.g., DCI indicators). The multiplexing behavior is not fixed but can be changed dynamically based on current traffic conditions, allowing the system to adapt between multiplexed transmission for efficiency and separate transmission for reliability as needed.
2Loss of substance
If HARQ-ACK bits for different traffic types are multiplexed in a single transmission opportunity, then transmission overhead is reduced, but latency performance of high-priority traffic may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting HARQ-ACK feedback into separate codebooks for different traffic types, the patent enables selective multiplexing. When low-latency traffic is present, separate codebook transmission avoids mixing with other traffic types, reducing latency while still allowing overhead reduction through multiplexing when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic multiplexing control allows the system to switch between multiplexed and separate transmission modes based on latency requirements. High-priority low-latency traffic can trigger separate transmission modes, while less time-sensitive traffic can utilize multiplexed transmission to reduce overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple HARQ-ACK transmission opportunities are supported within a slot, then flexibility in handling different traffic types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the slot into multiple transmission opportunities and introduces the concept of separate codebooks for different traffic types. This segmentation allows flexible handling of multiple traffic types while managing complexity through structured codebook generation and clear network signaling indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The network signaling (DCI indicators) acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the increased transmission opportunities and the user equipment. The clear signaling mechanism simplifies the complexity management by providing explicit instructions on which codebooks to generate and how to multiplex them, reducing the burden on device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to a first embodiment, a method may include receiving, by a user equipment, at least one downlink assignment indicating at least one multiplexing group indicator. The method may further include generating, by the user equipment, at least one hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement codebook in a sub-slot for each received multiplexing group indicator value. The method may further include determining, by the user equipment, whether more than one PUCCH resource associated with more than one multiplexing group indicator overlaps in time. The method may further include transmitting, by the user equipment, the highest priority codebook on the determined PUCCH resource and preventing, by the user equipment, transmission of the lower-priority HARQ-ACKs based on the at least one MGI indication in case an overlap in time has been determined. The method may further include transmitting, by the user equipment, the generated codebook on the determined PUCCH resource.