HARQ-Disabled Downlink Operation for UE Buffer Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The HARQ process in wireless communication systems requires UEs to store failed data packets, limiting the number of downlink communications a network node can transmit before receiving feedback, which can overwhelm the UE's buffer.
Innovation Solution
Configuring the UE to discard failed downlink communications and transmit HARQ feedback accordingly, allowing the network node to transmit more communications without relying on HARQ combining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HARQ process requires UEs to store failed data packets, then the reliability of data transmission is improved, but the buffer capacity of the UE is overwhelmed and the number of downlink communications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by configuring the UE to discard failed downlink communications under HARQ-disabled operation. Instead of storing failed packets in the buffer, the UE discards them and relies on the network node to retransmit the complete data packets. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the buffer storage requirement while maintaining transmission reliability through retransmission mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional HARQ approach by disabling the HARQ process at the UE side. Normally, the UE stores and combines retransmissions; in this inverted approach, the UE discards failed packets and the network node handles the retransmission of complete packets. This inversion resolves the buffer capacity limitation while preserving reliability.
2Productivity
If the network node transmits more downlink communications, then the productivity is improved, but the UE buffer becomes overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
By configuring HARQ-disabled operation, the UE discards failed downlink communications instead of storing them. This allows the network node to transmit more downlink communications without being constrained by the UE's limited buffer capacity, as discarded packets are recovered through retransmission rather than buffer storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the storage function from the UE buffer by disabling the HARQ process that requires buffer storage. The buffering function is effectively removed from the UE side, allowing the network node to transmit more communications without overwhelming the UE's remaining buffer capacity.
3Reliability
If the UE transmits HARQ feedback for failed communications, then the reliability of error detection is improved, but the complexity of UE operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the UE transmit HARQ feedback only selectively under specific configurations (HARQ-disabled operation) rather than for all downlink communications. The UE discards failed communications and transmits feedback only when configured to do so, reducing operational complexity while maintaining error detection reliability through targeted feedback transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-disabled configuration including a configuration for discarding one or more failed downlink communications. The UE may transmit HARQ feedback for the one or more failed downlink communications in accordance with the HARQ-disabled configuration. Numerous other aspects are described.