HARQ-ACK Feedback Timing Indication With Low-Overhead DCI

The patent implements dynamic HARQ-ACK feedback timing indication by allowing the timing value to be selected from multiple configured sets (first set and second set) based on the actual scheduling scenario. The DCI format includes a dynamic indicator that switches between different timing value sets, enabling flexible adaptation to varying subcarrier spacing and slot configurations without requiring a fixed, overly comprehensive timing table that would increase overhead.

The patent changes the parameter of HARQ-ACK feedback timing by introducing multiple configurable timing value sets with different characteristics. The system can select between a first set of timing values and a second set of timing values based on the specific communication scenario, subcarrier spacing, and slot structure, thereby optimizing feedback timing without requiring excessive bits to encode all possible timing combinations in a single static set.

The patent segments the HARQ-ACK feedback timing values into multiple distinct sets (first set and second set), each optimized for specific scenarios. Instead of using one large, complex timing table, the system divides the timing values into manageable groups that can be independently configured and selected, reducing the complexity of managing all possible timing combinations in a single structure.

The patent performs preliminary configuration of multiple HARQ-ACK feedback timing value sets through higher-layer signaling (RRC configuration) before actual data transmission. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-establish appropriate timing values for different scenarios, so that during dynamic scheduling, only a simple indicator is needed to switch between pre-configured sets, rather than signaling complete timing information in real-time.

The patent extracts the detailed timing indication information from the DCI format and moves it to higher-layer configuration (RRC signaling), where multiple timing value sets can be comprehensively defined. The DCI format retains only a compact indicator that selects between these pre-configured sets, thereby achieving high timing precision through the configured sets while keeping the DCI format size minimal.

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (RRC configuration of timing value sets) between the DCI format and the actual HARQ-ACK timing determination. This intermediary allows detailed timing parameters to be configured in advance with high precision, while the DCI format uses a simplified indicator to reference these pre-configured values, effectively decoupling the precision requirement from the immediate signaling overhead.