HARQ Buffer Process Removal for Lower Wireless Retransmission Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffers, leading to suboptimal performance in handling retransmissions and increasing latency and throughput limitations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus for identifying and removing HARQ processes from the HARQ buffer based on specific management parameters, optimizing buffer utilization and enhancing communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HARQ processes are maintained in the buffer for extended periods to ensure reliable retransmission handling, then reliability is improved, but latency increases due to buffer occupancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of HARQ process identification by introducing a new field in the downlink control information that explicitly identifies the HARQ process for removal. This parameter change enables the wireless communication device to precisely control which HARQ processes are removed from the buffer, resolving the contradiction by allowing selective removal based on specific identification criteria rather than generic timeout mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network device sends downlink control information containing explicit HARQ process removal identification to the wireless communication device. This feedback loop allows the network to control and optimize buffer management, enabling the system to remove HARQ processes at optimal times that balance reliability requirements with latency reduction goals.
2Productivity
If HARQ buffer size is increased to accommodate more retransmission processes, then throughput is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic buffer management where the HARQ buffer composition changes over time based on network control. Instead of statically allocating buffer resources, the system dynamically adds or removes HARQ processes from the buffer based on downlink control information received from the network device. This dynamic approach allows the buffer to adapt to varying throughput requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the HARQ buffer management into distinct controllable units by identifying individual HARQ processes for removal through explicit signaling. This segmentation allows the network to control each HARQ process independently, enabling fine-grained buffer management that optimizes throughput while avoiding the complexity of managing large monolithic buffer structures.
3Speed
If HARQ processes are removed early from the buffer to reduce latency, then speed is improved, but reliability may deteriorate due to insufficient retransmission opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network device preemptively identify and signal for HARQ process removal before the natural buffer timeout would occur. The downlink control information contains advance notification of which HARQ processes should be removed, allowing the wireless communication device to clear the buffer in advance while the network has already determined that removal is appropriate, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism ensures reliability by allowing the network device to monitor retransmission status and provide feedback signals that control HARQ process removal timing. The network can determine the optimal removal point based on successful retransmission outcomes, sending control information to remove HARQ processes only when reliability requirements are satisfied, thus preventing premature removal that would compromise success rates.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless communication device may identify, for removal from a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer of the wireless communication device, a HARQ process from a plurality of HARQ processes maintained in the HARQ buffer by the wireless communication device, wherein the HARQ process is identified based at least in part on one or more HARQ buffer management parameters. The wireless communication device may remove the HARQ process from the HARQ buffer. Numerous other aspects are described.