HARQ Acknowledgement Signaling Using Split Codebooks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Highly flexible and dynamic HARQ feedback in wireless communication systems leads to increased signaling overhead, which is undesirable, particularly in scenarios involving multiple transmissions, such as those in 5G networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for managing acknowledgement signaling with multiple HARQ codebooks, utilizing a timing threshold to separate HARQ codebooks into different transmission timing structures, allowing efficient rescheduling and retransmission with low overhead, and using control signaling without additional timing indications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If highly flexible and dynamic HARQ feedback is implemented, then adaptability of the communication system is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of HARQ feedbackVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ codebook into multiple parts corresponding to different transmission timing structures (e.g., different slots or mini-slots). Each segment can be independently managed and reported, allowing flexible adaptation to different transmission scenarios while reducing the overhead of reporting the entire codebook at once. This is achieved by dividing the HARQ-ACK feedback into separate codebook instances that can be handled differently based on timing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic selection and management of HARQ codebooks based on timing thresholds and transmission opportunities. The system can dynamically determine which codebook to use or report based on current transmission conditions, timing requirements, and decoding capabilities. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt flexibility to actual needs rather than always using the most flexible (and overhead-intensive) mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple HARQ codebooks are used for multiple transmissions in the same time interval, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for multiple transmissionsVSAvoidcomplexity of HARQ codebook management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the HARQ feedback mechanism into multiple segmented codebooks, each associated with specific transmission timing structures. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple transmissions by assigning them to different codebook segments, making the complexity manageable through structured organization rather than monolithic codebook management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different HARQ codebook segments are treated with different local qualities or management approaches based on their specific timing and transmission requirements. Each codebook segment can be optimized and managed independently according to its local needs, rather than applying uniform complex management to all transmissions. This allows simpler handling for transmissions that don't require full flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If decoding capability information is considered in scheduling, then reliability of acknowledgement signaling is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of HARQ feedbackVSAvoidsimplicity of scheduling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates decoding capability information and timing threshold determinations in advance during scheduling decisions. By preliminarily considering the wireless device's decoding capabilities and determining appropriate timing thresholds before actual transmission, the system ensures reliable HARQ feedback without requiring complex real-time adjustments. The scheduling is configured upfront with the necessary timing parameters that account for decoding requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the wireless device's own decoding capability information to self-determine appropriate timing thresholds and codebook management parameters. Rather than requiring the network to complexly manage and adjust timing for each device, the device's declared capabilities are used to automatically configure appropriate timing thresholds, simplifying network operation while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3909166B1Acknowledgement signaling for radio access networks
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3909166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3909166B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3909166B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a method of operating a wireless device (10) in a radio access network, the method comprising transmitting first acknowledgement signaling according to a first HARQ codebook, and transmitting second acknowledgement signaling according to a second HARQ codebook, the first HARQ codebook indicating a first acknowledgement information structure, and the second HARQ codebook indicating a second acknowledgement information structure, wherein the first HARQ codebook and the second HARQ codebook are based on a reception allocation configuration pertaining a first transmission timing interval and decoding timing information indicating a decoding timing capability of the wireless device (10). The disclosure also pertains to related devices and methods.