HARQ ACK Codebook Scheduling Offsets for Precise Feedback Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement processes, particularly in terms of scheduling offsets, which can impact data transmission reliability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and apparatus for UE and network entities to transmit and receive HARQ acknowledgement codebooks based on scheduling offsets, allowing for more precise timing and resource allocation in data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional HARQ acknowledgement scheduling is used, then system compatibility is maintained, but data transmission reliability and efficiency deteriorate due to suboptimal timing alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidscheduling offset management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity pre-configures multiple scheduling offset values (K1, K2, K3) for different HARQ acknowledgement scenarios before actual data transmission occurs. The UE receives and stores these pre-defined offset values, which are then directly applied during HARQ feedback scheduling without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus improving reliability while managing complexity through advance preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic selection of scheduling offsets based on actual transmission conditions. The network entity can indicate different offset values from a pre-configured set depending on traffic patterns, channel conditions, and latency requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for reliability when needed while maintaining flexibility to adjust to varying operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If scheduling offset indication is added to DCI, then HARQ acknowledgement timing precision is improved, but control signal complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHARQ acknowledgement timing precisionVSAvoidDCI structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single uniform scheduling offset for all HARQ acknowledgements, the patent applies different offset values (K1, K2, K3) to different scenarios, transport blocks, or HARQ processes based on specific local requirements. The DCI includes targeted offset indications only where precision is needed, rather than universally increasing complexity across all control signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces configurable scheduling offset parameters that can be dynamically adjusted through DCI indications. Rather than fixing the timing offset, the system allows flexible parameter changes based on traffic type, channel conditions, and quality of service requirements, achieving timing precision while keeping DCI complexity manageable through efficient parameter encoding and selection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple scheduling offset values are configured, then adaptability to different transmission scenarios is improved, but configuration and management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scheduling offset configuration into multiple distinct values (K1, K2, K3) that can be independently configured and selected for different HARQ scenarios. Each offset value is associated with specific transmission conditions or traffic types, allowing the system to adapt to diverse scenarios while managing complexity through structured segmentation rather than a single complex parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple scheduling offset values are designed to serve multiple functions across different transmission scenarios. The same set of offset values can be applied to various HARQ processes, transport blocks, and traffic types, providing universal adaptability without requiring separate configurations for each scenario. This multi-functionality reduces overall configuration management complexity while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12519598B2Scheduling offset for hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement codebook

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive, from a network entity, an indication of a scheduling offset associated with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) codebook. The UE may transmit, to the network entity, the HARQ ACK codebook based at least in part on the scheduling offset. Numerous other aspects are described.