HARQ Handling for Discontinuous Reception via Timer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently handling hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes during discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, leading to increased latency due to the UE returning to an inactive state before receiving feedback timing information, which can result in delayed HARQ feedback and retransmissions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a timer mechanism that maintains the UE in an active state upon receiving a DCI message with a non-numeric data-to-feedback timing indicator, allowing continued monitoring of the downlink control channel for subsequent DCI messages indicating actual feedback timing, thereby reducing latency and improving HARQ feedback efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the UE returns to inactive state after receiving DCI message, then power saving is improved, but HARQ feedback latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE activate a timer upon receiving the first DCI message with non-numeric data-to-feedback timing indicator, before actually receiving the feedback timing information. This timer keeps the UE in active state in advance, ensuring the UE is ready to receive subsequent DCI messages with feedback timing information without returning to inactive state, thus resolving the latency issue while maintaining power saving through controlled active periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a timer as an intermediary mechanism between the first DCI message and the actual feedback timing reception. This timer acts as a mediator that maintains the UE's active state during the interval between receiving the initial DCI message and receiving the subsequent DCI message with feedback timing, allowing the UE to transition efficiently between active and inactive states while ensuring timely feedback reception
2Productivity
If the UE monitors downlink control channel continuously, then HARQ feedback efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a timer that activates the UE's monitoring capability for specific periods rather than continuous monitoring. The timer is activated upon receiving the first DCI message and deactivates after a predetermined duration or upon receiving the feedback timing information, creating periodic active monitoring intervals that balance HARQ feedback efficiency with energy consumption, allowing the UE to monitor only when necessary
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for wireless communications and more specifically for handling hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes with discontinuous reception (DRX) operations. In some implementations, a user equipment (UE) may use a timer to maintain an ON duration in a DRX cycle based on receiving a downlink control information (DCI) message with a data-to-feedback timing indicator (for example, a K1 value) indicating a non-numeric value for a data message. For example, the UE may receive a DCI message with feedback timing for the data message based on maintaining the ON duration. In some other implementations, a UE may use a timer to maintain an ON duration following a feedback opportunity to support dynamic group-based HARQ messaging. For example, the UE may receive a DCI message requesting a retransmission of feedback information based on maintaining the ON duration.