HARQ RTT Timer Duration Determination in Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The technical challenge lies in determining the optimal timing duration for a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) timer in communication systems, as existing methods lack precision, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and communication accuracy between terminals and access network devices.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an access network device sending a value set of communication time intervals to a terminal, which includes specific time intervals for scheduling grants and feedback, allowing the terminal to determine the HARQ round trip time (RTT) timer duration accurately, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving communication accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal uses a fixed or default HARQ timer timing duration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the communication accuracy and energy efficiency deteriorate due to inability to adapt to different communication scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication accuracyVSAvoidtiming determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic HARQ timer timing determination by allowing the terminal to select from multiple preset timing durations based on actual communication conditions. The terminal dynamically adjusts the HARQ timer timing duration according to factors such as signal quality, channel conditions, and communication requirements, transforming the static timing mechanism into a flexible adaptive system that optimizes both reliability and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter from a fixed value to a selectable set of preset durations. The terminal receives configuration information containing multiple HARQ timer timing durations and selects appropriate values based on communication scenarios, enabling parameter adaptation without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the terminal continuously monitors for HARQ feedback without proper timing, then the communication responsiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to unnecessary monitoring operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication responsivenessVSAvoidterminal energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring behavior by establishing a HARQ timer that defines specific time windows for feedback reception. The terminal monitors for HARQ feedback only during these periodic intervals rather than continuously, creating a rhythm of active monitoring followed by idle periods, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining communication responsiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs preliminary timing determination by calculating and setting the HARQ timer duration before actually monitoring for feedback. This preliminary action of establishing the timing window in advance allows the terminal to prepare its reception state efficiently, ensuring responsive feedback reception while avoiding premature or unnecessary monitoring activities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the HARQ timer timing duration is set too short, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the communication reliability deteriorates due to premature timer expiration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal energy consumptionVSAvoidHARQ feedback reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of HARQ timer timing duration based on communication conditions. When channel conditions are good and feedback is expected quickly, shorter timing durations reduce energy consumption. When conditions deteriorate or feedback is delayed, the terminal can select longer timing durations to maintain reliable feedback reception, creating a dynamic balance between energy efficiency and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal uses predetermined HARQ timing without configuration information, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different communication scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescenario adaptabilityVSAvoidtiming configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the timing configuration into multiple preset HARQ timer timing durations stored in a configuration set. Rather than implementing a complex real-time calculation system, the terminal receives pre-calculated timing values segmented into discrete options, reducing processing complexity while maintaining adaptability through selective configuration for different scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3661091B1Communication method, access network device, and terminal
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3661091B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3661091B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3661091B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a communication method, an access network device, and a terminal. The communication method includes: sending, by an access network device, first information, where the first information includes a value set of a communication time interval; and the communication time interval includes at least one of the following: a time interval from the terminal receives downlink scheduling grant information to the terminal receives downlink data scheduled by using the downlink scheduling grant information, a time interval from the terminal receives downlink data to the terminal sends HARQ feedback information of the downlink data, and a time interval from the terminal receives uplink scheduling grant information to the terminal sends uplink data scheduled by using the uplink scheduling grant information; and sending, by the access network device, second information, where the second information is used to indicate a value of the communication time interval, the value belongs to the value set, and the value is used to determine timing duration of a HARQ RTT timer. The communication method, the access network device, and the terminal that are provided in this application enable the terminal to determine the timing duration of the HARQ RTT timer.