HARQ Feedback Verification for Beam Blocking and Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, there are challenges in accurately verifying hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback due to issues such as beam blocking and interference, leading to incorrect interpretations by the base station, which can result in inefficient use of computing, communication, and network resources.

Innovation Solution

A method for HARQ feedback verification is implemented, where the user equipment (UE) determines the correctness of the base station's interpretation of HARQ feedback and transmits a scheduling request to request a new transmission configuration indicator state when an incorrect interpretation is detected, allowing for beam reselection or switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the base station interprets HARQ feedback without verification, then the processing speed is improved, but the reliability of feedback interpretation deteriorates due to beam blocking and interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidreliability of feedback interpretation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE prepare and transmit verification information (such as TCI state indicators or beam identification data) along with or before the HARQ feedback. This allows the base station to verify the correctness of feedback interpretation in advance, preventing incorrect decisions while maintaining efficient processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback verification mechanism where the UE monitors whether its transmitted HARQ feedback was correctly interpreted by the base station. If the UE detects an incorrect interpretation (e.g., through lack of expected retransmission or through explicit verification messages), it can send corrective feedback or retransmit the correct feedback, ensuring reliable communication despite beam blocking or interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the base station requests retransmission upon incorrect HARQ interpretation, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases due to unnecessary retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of HARQ interpretationVSAvoidtime loss from retransmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prevents unnecessary retransmissions by having the UE include verification information (such as TCI state indicators or beam identification data) with the HARQ feedback. This allows the base station to correctly interpret the feedback on the first attempt, avoiding the time loss associated with incorrect interpretations and subsequent retransmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical retry mechanism (retransmission) with a verification mechanism. Instead of relying on repeated transmissions to overcome interpretation errors, the system uses verification information (such as TCI state indicators or beam identification data) to ensure correct interpretation on the first attempt, reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the UE transmits verification information for HARQ feedback, then the reliability of interpretation is improved, but the use of energy increases due to additional transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrectness of feedback interpretationVSAvoidenergy consumption at UE
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the verification information transmission with the existing HARQ feedback transmission. The UE includes verification data (such as TCI state indicators or beam identification data) in the same uplink transmission as the HARQ feedback, rather than sending separate verification messages. This reduces energy consumption by combining multiple functions into a single transmission event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the HARQ feedback transmission multi-functional by embedding verification information (such as TCI state indicators or beam identification data) within the same message. This single transmission serves both to acknowledge/reject the downlink transmission and to verify the interpretation context, reducing the need for separate energy-consuming transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the system implements HARQ feedback verification, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional verification procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of feedback interpretationVSAvoidcomplexity of verification mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex verification procedures with simpler indicator-based mechanisms. The UE includes compact verification information (such as TCI state indicators or beam identification data) in its HARQ feedback, and the base station uses these indicators to verify interpretation correctness. This substitution of complex procedures with streamlined indicator-based verification reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4111598B1Hybrid automatic repeat request feedback verification
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4111598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4111598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4111598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may transmit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback for a downlink transmission from a base station; receive an indication of an interpretation of the HARQ feedback by the base station; and determine whether the interpretation of the HARQ feedback by the base station is correct. Numerous other aspects are provided.