HARQ Process Identity Linking for MIMO Rank Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, synchronous Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) protocols face limitations as retransmissions cannot be scheduled at optimal channel conditions, leading to inefficiencies due to predetermined timing, modulation, coding, and resource allocation, resulting in data loss when rank changes during retransmissions in MIMO systems.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves linking and deriving Hybrid ARQ process identities between codewords to allow flexible scheduling of retransmissions when rank changes, using extended PID fields and additional bits to enable efficient retransmission management across different MIMO ranks, allowing for adaptive modulation, coding, and resource allocation based on current channel conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If synchronous HARQ protocol is used with predetermined timing, then control information transmission is simplified, but retransmissions cannot be scheduled at optimal channel conditions leading to data loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information transmissionVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static predetermined retransmission timing in synchronous HARQ to dynamic adaptive timing in asynchronous HARQ, where retransmission timing, modulation, coding and resource format are adapted according to prevailing channel conditions at the time of retransmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter from fixed to variable, allowing retransmission timing to be selected based on channel conditions. It also changes modulation and coding parameters adaptively to match current channel state, improving reliability while managing complexity through controlled parameter variation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If asynchronous HARQ protocol is used with adaptive timing, then retransmissions can be scheduled at optimal channel conditions, but control information needs to be sent along with all subpackets increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol information transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by sending control information only with the first subpacket transmission, where retransmission timing and parameters are predetermined. This allows subsequent retransmissions to proceed without additional control information, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptive capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If HARQ process identity is not extended for rank changes, then process ID management is simple, but retransmission fails when rank changes from 2 to 1 causing data loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess ID managementVSAvoidretransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the process ID space by creating separate PID fields for different transmission ranks. Rank-2 transmissions use one PID field while rank-1 transmissions use another PID field, allowing independent management of process identities for each rank type and enabling successful retransmissions when rank changes occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a rank dimension to the process ID management system. By introducing rank-specific PID fields, it creates an additional dimension for identifying HARQ processes, allowing the system to distinguish between rank-1 and rank-2 processes and manage them separately, thus preventing data loss during rank transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2048807B1Method and apparatus for transmission data by using HARQ process identity in a MIMO wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2048807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2048807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2048807B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for transmitting Asynchronous Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) process identities in a wireless communication system. A linking scheme is established between at least two sets of process identities of two respective corresponding codewords. When a first process identity is selected from among a first set of process identities of a first codeword, a second process identity may be derived in dependence upon the first process identity and the established linking scheme. Finally, a first packet from the first codeword is transmitted using a first transmission channel indicated by the first process identity, and a second packet is transmitted from the second codeword using a second transmission channel indicated by the second process identity. In addition, a control message including only the first process identity is transmitted.