HARQ Feedback Timing Indication for Reliable NR Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the new radio (NR) communications system, the timing of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) response messages is inconsistent with varying transmission times, leading to potential missed feedback and reduced communication reliability.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where a network device provides first and second indication information to a terminal to determine the feedback time for HARQ responses, using sets of related information of feedback time to ensure timely and efficient message transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed feedback time (n+k1) is used for HARQ responses, then the communication method is simple and consistent, but the HARQ response cannot be transmitted when decoding is not complete, reducing communication reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the feedback time configurable rather than fixed. The network device can dynamically adjust the feedback time parameter k1 based on terminal decoding capabilities and channel conditions. This allows the system to adapt between fixed timing (for simplicity) and flexible timing (for reliability), resolving the contradiction between communication reliability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter k1 (feedback time offset) from a fixed value to a configurable parameter. By allowing k1 to vary based on transport block size, terminal capability, and channel conditions, the system can optimize feedback timing for different scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple n+k1 calculation framework, thus balancing reliability improvement with complexity control.
2Reliability
If the feedback time is extended to allow complete decoding, then communication reliability improves, but the signaling overhead increases due to additional timing indication information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback timing configuration into multiple levels: a default k1 value for common scenarios, and additional indication information only when deviation from default is needed. This segmentation allows the system to avoid transmitting full timing information in every case, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to extend feedback time when reliability requires it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by providing timing indication information only when necessary (when k1 needs to be adjusted from default). For most cases where default timing suffices, no additional signaling is required. This partial provision of information reduces overhead while still enabling reliability improvements when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of feedback time information are provided for different scenarios, then adaptability to varying transmission times improves, but the device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal feedback timing mechanism where a single indication parameter can serve multiple functions: it can indicate absolute timing values, relative offsets from default, or trigger pre-configured timing patterns. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse transmission scenarios (different TB sizes, slot configurations) without requiring separate complex timing management for each case, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communication method, a network device, and a terminal. The communication method includes: sending first indication information to a terminal, where the first indication information is used to indicate N sets of related information of feedback time, related information of feedback time in each set of related information of feedback time is used to indicate a quantity of time units included in a feedback time of a data block, and the feedback time of the data block includes a difference between a sending time of a response message and a receiving time of the data block; sending second indication information to the terminal, where the second indication information is used to indicate first related information of feedback time of a first data block, the first related information of feedback time belongs to a first set of related information of feedback time, and the first set of related information of feedback time is one of the N sets of related information of feedback time; and receiving a response message that is for the first data block and that is sent by the terminal based on the first indication information and the second indication information. The communication method, the network device, and the terminal in this application help improve communication reliability.