Base Station HARQ Uplink Resource Allocation in Self-Contained Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication systems, particularly in 5G, face challenges in efficiently managing HARQ operations within self-contained time units due to flexible changes in the length of these units, leading to inadequate control over uplink time resources for response signals, which affects data transmission capacity, latency, and communication area.

Innovation Solution

A base station and terminal configuration that dynamically determines and allocates uplink time resources for response signals based on requested communication areas and the number of bits necessary for transmission, using flexible control units to optimize HARQ operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the length of self-contained time units is flexibly changed to adapt to different service requirements, then adaptability is improved, but control over uplink time resources for response signals becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different service requirementsVSAvoidcontrol over uplink time resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic determination of uplink time resource amounts based on the actual length of self-contained time units. The base station control unit adjusts the uplink time resource allocation dynamically according to the flexible time unit length, ensuring that response signal transmission resources are appropriately controlled regardless of how the time unit length varies to meet different service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed PUCCH resources are used for response signal transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission capacity and communication area are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of resource allocationVSAvoiddata transmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of uplink time resource amount dynamically based on the self-contained time unit length and service requirements. Instead of using fixed PUCCH resources, the system adjusts the time resource allocation parameters to match the actual communication needs, thereby enhancing data transmission capacity and expanding communication area while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If more uplink time resources are allocated for response signals, then reliability of HARQ operations is improved, but data transmission capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of HARQ operationsVSAvoiddata transmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the uplink time resource allocation parameters based on the actual length of self-contained time units and service requirements. This ensures that sufficient resources are allocated for reliable HARQ operations when needed, while maximizing data transmission capacity when the time unit length and service conditions allow, thus resolving the trade-off between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4694442A1Base station, terminal, and communication method
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP4694442A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694442A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4694442A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a base station, a control unit determines, when a terminal performs communication in a time unit including a downlink time resource for a downlink control signal, a downlink time resource assigned for downlink data by the downlink control signal, and a uplink time resource for a response signal for the downlink data, the amount of the uplink time resource used by the terminal for transmission of the response signal in accordance with a requested communication area or the number of bits necessary for transmission of the response signal, and a transmission unit transmits time unit information related to the determined amount of the uplink time resource to the terminal.