HARQ Bundling Window for Half-Duplex TDD Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Rel. 14 based HD TDD MTC systems, there is a need for a method to perform Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) bundling, as existing solutions do not provide clear guidance on how to implement HARQ bundling, leading to conflicts between uplink feedback transmission and downlink data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method for transmitting HARQ feedback information by determining a HARQ bundling window, where feedback for multiple received data packets is logically operated and transmitted together, allowing for efficient bundling and reduction of conflicts between uplink and downlink transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If one-to-one HARQ feedback is applied in HD MTC system, then feedback accuracy is improved, but transmission conflict occurs between uplink feedback and downlink data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback accuracyVSAvoidtransmission conflict
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple HARQ feedback information bits into a single bundled feedback transmission. Specifically, feedback for multiple downlink subframes (e.g., subframes n-4, n-3, n-2, n-1) are aggregated and transmitted together in uplink subframe n, eliminating the need for separate feedback transmissions that would cause conflicts with downlink data transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a periodic bundling pattern where feedback for a specific number of downlink subframes is collected and transmitted at regular intervals in uplink subframes. This periodic structure allows the system to systematically manage feedback transmissions according to the half-duplex constraints, preventing conflicts by synchronizing feedback transmissions with available uplink slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If HARQ bundling is applied to avoid transmission conflict, then transmission efficiency is improved, but feedback information loss may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidfeedback information loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a downlink assignment indicator (DAI) in the downlink control information that provides feedback to the UE about the number of downlink subframes requiring acknowledgment. This DAI mechanism allows the UE to verify whether it has correctly received and processed all necessary feedback information, enabling detection of any information loss during the bundling process and triggering appropriate retransmission or correction actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If HARQ bundling window parameters are not specified, then system flexibility is improved, but implementation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific parameter configurations for the HARQ bundling window, including the relationship between downlink subframe indices and uplink feedback subframe indices. By establishing concrete parameter values and relationships (e.g., feedback for subframes n-4 to n-1 transmitted in subframe n), the patent transforms a potentially complex and flexible system into one with well-defined, implementable parameters that reduce ambiguity while maintaining adaptability to different TDD configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3499765B1Method for sending hybrid automatic repeat request feedback information, and user equipment
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3499765B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3499765B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP3499765B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed are a method for sending a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information, a user equipment, and a base station. The method comprises: determining a reception window of data on which HARQ binding is to be performed; detecting data in the reception window; and binding and sending HARQ feedback information of the data detected in the reception window. By means of the method, the user equipment and the base station, HARD binding can be very conveniently implemented in a half-duplex (HD) frequency division multiplexing system.