HARQ Process Number Determination in eMTC NTN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining HARQ process numbers in eMTC and NBIoT, especially in non-terrestrial networks, face challenges such as unbalanced division of HARQ process numbers, wastage of HARQ processes, and uncertainty in determining HARQ process numbers for scheduled transport blocks across time durations, due to factors like channel time varying and burst transmission.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves determining HARQ process numbers by considering the field of the control signal, start or end slot number, repetition number, valid slot number offset, and virtual HARQ process number, allowing for expanded HARQ process numbers without increasing the number of bits in the DCI, and configuring time windows and segment durations based on the MPDCCH monitoring period and repetition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the maximal HARQ process number is increased to more than 16, then the data transmission rate is improved, but the device complexity and control signal overhead increase due to requiring more than 4 bits in DCI to indicate HARQ process numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the HARQ process number space by utilizing an additional dimension - the slot number. Instead of simply increasing the bit width of HARQ process indication, the patent combines the 4-bit HARQ process number field with slot-based offset selection, effectively creating a two-dimensional addressing scheme that achieves 32 HARQ processes while maintaining 4-bit indication width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the time domain into multiple slots and assigns different HARQ process number sets to different slot ranges. This segmentation allows the system to support more HARQ processes by distributing them across different time slots, thereby avoiding the need to increase the HARQ process number field width in DCI.
2Quantity of substance
If the first prior art method is directly used to determine HARQ process number in eMTC NTN, then 32 HARQ processes can be supported, but unbalanced division of HARQ process numbers occurs due to channel time varying and burst transmission characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment mechanisms by configuring time windows and segment durations based on MPDCCH monitoring period and repetition factors. This allows the HARQ process number allocation to adapt to varying channel conditions and transmission characteristics, ensuring balanced utilization across different time durations and preventing waste of HARQ processes during burst transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for HARQ process number determination by incorporating valid slot number offsets and repetition-based adjustments. These parameter changes enable the system to account for eMTC-specific characteristics such as repetition transmissions and valid slot patterns, thereby achieving balanced HARQ process division under time-varying channel conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If slot-based HARQ process number determination is used, then more HARQ processes can be supported, but uncertainty arises in determining HARQ process numbers for scheduled transport blocks that span across time durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes preliminary rules and configurations for determining HARQ process numbers before data transmission occurs. By pre-configuring time windows, segment durations, and valid slot offsets based on MPDCCH monitoring parameters, the system eliminates uncertainty in HARQ process number determination for transport blocks spanning multiple time durations, ensuring reliable and deterministic HARQ process assignment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for determining HARQ process number are disclosed. A method comprises receiving a control signal; and receiving a downlink data or transmitting an uplink data based on the control signal, the downlink data or the uplink data is associated with a HARQ process number.