HARQ Entity Mapping via DCI Indication Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems, determining the correct HARQ entity, MAC entity, or RLC entity for data received from multiple network devices on the same carrier is challenging due to the lack of explicit indication fields in physical downlink control channels, leading to difficulties in combining and decoding retransmitted data flows.
Innovation Solution
A method where network devices configure association information between resources and HARQ, MAC, or RLC entities, and send this information to terminal devices, allowing them to identify the corresponding entities for data processing and ensure proper HARQ performance by using configuration messages that include group identifiers and process numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple base stations send data flows on the same carrier using independent scheduling, then system capacity and transmission reliability are improved, but the terminal device cannot determine which HARQ entity corresponds to which data flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces downlink control information (DCI) as an intermediary carrier that conveys the correspondence relationship between data flows and HARQ entities. The DCI includes a first indication field that explicitly indicates which HARQ entity corresponds to which data flow, enabling the terminal device to correctly identify the HARQ entity for each received data flow without ambiguity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the indication mechanism by dividing the DCI into multiple fields, including a first indication field specifically dedicated to indicating HARQ entity correspondence. This segmentation allows the system to provide detailed, flow-specific HARQ entity identification while maintaining overall scheduling coordination, resolving the ambiguity that arises when multiple base stations transmit on the same carrier.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each connection has an independent protocol stack with separate HARQ entities, then inter-frequency multi-connectivity is supported, but determining the correct HARQ entity becomes complex when multiple data flows are scheduled on the same carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The DCI serves as a mediator that bridges the independent protocol stacks of different connections. By including explicit indication fields in the DCI, the system provides a unified mechanism for the terminal device to determine HARQ entity correspondence across multiple connections, even when they operate on different frequencies and have independent protocol stacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal indication mechanism through the DCI that works across multiple connections and frequencies. The first indication field in the DCI provides a multi-functional solution that can indicate HARQ entity correspondence for data flows from different connections, whether they are on the same frequency or different frequencies, thereby simplifying the determination process while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 3a
AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and an apparatus therefor. The method includes the following steps: determining, by a first network device for a first carrier, association information between a first resource and at least one of a first HARQ entity, a first MAC entity, or a first RLC entity, and sending configuration information to a terminal device, where the configuration information includes the association information between the first resource and the at least one of the first HARQ entity, the first MAC entity, or the first RLC entity; and receiving, by the terminal device, the configuration information, receiving first data, determining that the first data corresponds to the first resource, and determining, based on the configuration information and the first data that corresponds to the first resource, at least one of the first HARQ entity, the first MAC entity, or the first RLC entity corresponding to the first data. According to the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can determine an HARQ entity, a MAC entity, or an RLC entity corresponding to received data, thereby ensuring HARQ performance.