HARQ Failure Indication Carrier Binding for OLPC Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing communication systems, it is unclear which carrier the number of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) retransmissions belongs to when transmitting data on dual carriers, leading to ineffective Outer Loop Power Control (OLPC) and potential interference issues.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to transmit and receive HARQ failure indications specifically for each carrier, binding the failure indication with the corresponding transmission bearer, allowing the Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR) Target to be better controlled through a carrier-based OLPC function by using HARQ failure indication data frames on the lub and lur interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If HARQ failure indication is transmitted without carrier identification, then the transmission overhead is reduced, but it becomes unclear which carrier the HARQ retransmission count belongs to, leading to ineffective Outer Loop Power Control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier identification informationVSAvoiddata frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds carrier identification information (carrier indicator) within the existing HARQ failure indication data frame structure. The carrier indicator is nested as a field within the data frame, allowing the system to identify which carrier the HARQ retransmission count belongs to without creating a separate transmission mechanism. This resolves the contradiction by adding minimal information overhead while maintaining clear carrier association.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a carrier indicator as an intermediary element that links the HARQ failure indication to the specific carrier. This intermediary field acts as a mediator between the generic HARQ indication mechanism and the specific carrier context, enabling the SRNC to correctly associate power control adjustments with the appropriate carrier without fundamentally changing the overall indication framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If carrier-based HARQ failure indication is implemented, then SIR Target control accuracy is improved, but the data frame structure and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSIR Target control accuracyVSAvoiddata frame processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ failure indication mechanism by carrier, introducing a carrier indicator field that divides the previously unified indication into carrier-specific indications. This segmentation allows the SRNC to process power control adjustments separately for each carrier, improving SIR Target control accuracy while maintaining manageable processing complexity through structured field organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter space of the HARQ failure indication by adding the carrier indicator parameter. This parameter change transforms the indication from a generic system-level signal to a carrier-specific signal, enabling precise SIR Target control for each carrier. The added parameter is integrated into existing data frame structures, balancing precision improvement with processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If HARQ failure indication data frame includes carrier indicator, then the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary carriers is improved, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier distinction informationVSAvoidsignaling data volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by adding only the essential carrier indicator field to the HARQ failure indication data frame, rather than transmitting complete carrier identification data. This partial addition provides sufficient information to distinguish between primary and secondary carriers while minimizing the increase in signaling data volume. The carrier indicator uses a compact representation that balances information completeness with overhead efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2456115B1Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving hybrid automatic repeat request failure indication
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP2456115B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2456115B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2456115B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The present application discloses a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving an HARQ failure indication. The method includes: a Node B receives an E-DCH payload from a primary carrier and fails to decode it; the Node B determines whether the condition of transmitting an HARQ failure indication is met, if so, the Node B sets the HARQ failure indication data frame on the primary carrier; and the Node B transmits the HARQ failure indication data frame to a service radio network controller on a transmission bearer corresponding to the primary carrier. The present application realizes a better control over the SIR target value through a carrier-based outer loop power control function.