HARQ-ACK Codebook Slot Selection in Multi-Carrier DCI Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a solution for determining the re-transmitted HARQ codebook slot location when a DCI contains multiple MCS indication fields in multi-carrier scheduling scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A terminal determines the re-transmitted HARQ codebook slot location by analyzing a first MCS indication field, which can correspond to various cells within a cell group, using methods such as identifying the earliest or latest scheduled cell, or cells with the smallest or largest index values, and combining these methods with higher-layer signaling to determine slot locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If DCI format 1_X is used for multi-carrier scheduling with multiple MCS indication fields, then the scheduling capability is improved, but the method for determining HARQ-ACK codebook slot location becomes undefined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling capabilityVSAvoidslot location determination method
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting different MCS indication fields based on specific conditions (cell index, scheduling order, higher-layer signaling) to determine the slot location. This resolves the contradiction by dynamically changing which parameter (MCS field) is used for slot location determination, thereby maintaining both multi-carrier scheduling capability and slot location determination method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If one single DCI schedules PDSCHs of multiple downlink cells, then the scheduling efficiency is improved, but the terminal cannot determine the HARQ codebook slot location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling efficiencyVSAvoidslot location determination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different roles to different MCS indication fields within the same DCI. Specifically, one MCS field is used for its original purpose (modulation and coding scheme) while another MCS field is designated for determining HARQ-ACK slot location. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making the DCI structure more sophisticated locally, enabling both efficient multi-cell scheduling and slot location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses higher-layer signaling as an intermediary to indicate which MCS indication field should be used for slot location determination. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing a clear indication method that bridges the gap between multi-carrier scheduling efficiency and slot location determination ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple MCS indication fields are included in DCI, then the multi-carrier scheduling flexibility is improved, but the solution for slot location determination is missing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidslot location determination mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the parameter usage dynamically - different MCS fields are selected for slot location determination based on conditions such as cell index values, scheduling order, or higher-layer signaling indications. This approach maintains scheduling flexibility while providing a clear, conditional mechanism for slot location determination, avoiding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4712655A1Information processing method and apparatus, terminal and network device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4712655A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4712655A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4712655A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an information processing method, apparatus, terminal, and network equipment, relating to the field of communication technology. The method includes: a terminal receiving downlink control signaling DCI sent by a network device; wherein the DCI schedules at least one downlink cell in a first cell group; the terminal determines one or more slot locations of a re-transmitted hybrid automatic repeat request response HARQ-ACK codebook based on a first modulation and coding scheme MCS indication field; wherein the first MCS indication field includes one or more MCS indication fields included in the DCI, and one MCS indication field corresponds to one downlink cell in the first cell group.