Multi-User HARQ PPDU Transmission Indicator Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current HARQ technology in WLAN systems is limited to single-user data transmission and lacks an efficient method to support multi-user data transmission, leading to inefficiencies in data packet management and transmission overheads.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a first device generates and sends a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) containing transmission indicators and data, using different modulation and coding schemes for indicators and data, to enable multi-user HARQ processing, thereby improving communication efficiency and reducing overheads. The PPDU includes multiple media access control protocol data units (MPDUs), with one MPDU carrying the transmission indicator and others carrying data, allowing for centralized management and clear indication of new or retransmitted data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If HARQ technology is applied to multi-user data transmission, then communication efficiency is improved, but data packet format design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddata packet format design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data packet is segmented into multiple MPDUs, with the first MPDU containing transmission indicators and subsequent MPDUs containing data. This segmentation allows the packet to carry both control information (indicators) and payload data, enabling multi-user HARQ processing without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The PPDU structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries transmission indicators for HARQ process identification, contains data payloads for multiple users, and supports both new transmissions and retransmissions. This multi-functionality improves communication efficiency while managing complexity through a unified structure

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

2Reliability

If transmission indicators are sent separately from data, then HARQ processing accuracy is improved, but transmission overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ processing accuracyVSAvoidtransmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission indicators and data are merged into a single PPDU structure, where the first MPDU contains indicators and subsequent MPDUs contain data. This merging reduces transmission overhead by sending both types of information in one packet rather than separate packets, while maintaining HARQ processing accuracy through clear indicator-data association

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If different modulation and coding schemes are used for indicators and data, then signal clarity is improved, but transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal clarityVSAvoidtransmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different modulation and coding schemes are applied to different parts of the PPDU: the first MPDU (carrying transmission indicators) uses one MCS while subsequent MPDUs (carrying data) use other MCSs. This local quality differentiation ensures clear transmission of critical indicator information while optimizing data transmission, with the benefit that the receiver can distinguish and process each part appropriately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3780447B1HARQ technology-based communication method, device, and system
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3780447B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780447B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3780447B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a HARQ technology-based communication method, device, and system, to support a HARQ process of multi-user data transmission. The method includes: generating, by a first device, at least one transmission indicator and data of at least one second device, where the at least one transmission indicator is used to indicate that the data of the at least one second device is retransmitted data or new transmitted data, and the at least one transmission indicator is in a one-to-one correspondence with the data of the at least one second device; and sending, by the first device, the at least one transmission indicator and the data of the at least one second device to the at least one second device. The method according to the embodiments of this application is applicable to a HARQ technology-based communication process.