Terminal HARQ Control for PUCCH-PUSCH Resource Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

The coverage performance in uplink communication systems, particularly in NR Rel. 17, is limited due to constraints on PUCCH resource allocation and HARQ process management, leading to reduced spectral efficiency and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

A terminal and base station configuration that allows flexible PUCCH resource allocation and HARQ process control, enabling transmission of ACK/NACK signals even when overlapping with PUSCH resources, through methods such as puncturing, bundling, or disabling HARQ processes to optimize coverage and latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PUCCH resource allocation is constrained to avoid overlapping with PUSCH resources, then uplink coverage performance is improved, but downlink spectral efficiency and responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink coverage performanceVSAvoiddownlink spectral efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PUCCH resource allocation where the terminal adaptively selects between different PUCCH transmission approaches based on real-time resource overlap conditions. When overlap is detected, the system dynamically switches to alternative resources or transmission methods, enabling flexible adaptation that maintains both uplink coverage and downlink efficiency without fixed constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of PUCCH resource allocation by introducing multiple alternative PUCCH resources and dynamically selecting among them based on overlap conditions with PUSCH. This parameter variation allows the system to optimize for either coverage or spectral efficiency depending on the specific transmission scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If PUCCH resource allocation is constrained to avoid overlapping with PUSCH resources, then transmission reliability is improved, but communication latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple alternative PUCCH resources before transmission occurs. When a resource overlap is detected, the system can immediately switch to a pre-prepared alternative resource without waiting for resource allocation procedures, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliability through pre-established backup options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If HARQ processes are strictly managed to ensure downlink acknowledgment, then downlink reliability is improved, but uplink resource utilization and spectral efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownlink acknowledgment reliabilityVSAvoiduplink resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ acknowledgment mechanism by separating PUCCH-based ACK/NACK transmission from PUSCH data transmission. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function while enabling flexible resource allocation, as PUCCH resources can be dynamically adjusted without affecting PUSCH uplink data transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements multi-functionality by allowing PUCCH resources to serve both dedicated control purposes (ACK/NACK for downlink HARQ) and to coexist with PUSCH resources through dynamic allocation. This universal approach enables the same resource allocation mechanism to support both reliable HARQ operations and efficient uplink resource utilization simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260113154A1Terminal, base station and communication method

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

This terminal comprises a reception circuit and a control circuit. After receipt of first downlink control information for assigning the resource of an uplink shared channel, the reception circuit receives second downlink control information for assigning the resource of a downlink shared channel. The control circuit controls the transmission of the uplink shared channel on the basis of whether or not the resource of an uplink control channel that is to be transmitted in response to the receipt of the downlink shared channel temporally overlaps the resource of the uplink shared channel. This control includes at least one of: controlling the number of bits of a signal that is to be transmitted in the resource of the uplink shared channel; inhibiting the resource of the uplink shared channel from being used; and controlling the HARQ process for the downlink shared channel.