Implicit Uplink Resource Allocation for HARQ Acknowledgment Signaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE wireless communications, the existing methods for uplink resource allocation for ACK/NACK signaling result in inefficiencies due to asynchronous HARQ and varying user traffic patterns, leading to wasted system capacity and increased overhead, especially in cases where not all users have data to transmit simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The method involves implicit signaling for uplink resource allocation using downlink resource allocation information, allowing user equipment to self-assign resources for ACK/NACK transmission based on pre-defined allocation tables, reducing the need for separate control channels and optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pre-reserved control channel is set up in the uplink for ACK/NACK signaling, then all active UEs can transmit acknowledgment signals, but system capacity is wasted when not all users have data to transmit simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ACK/NACK signaling function from a dedicated reserved channel and integrates it into the existing data transmission framework. By using the downlink resource allocation information to implicitly define uplink resources, the solution eliminates the need for separate reserved control channels while maintaining reliable acknowledgment signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the uplink resources multi-functional by enabling them to serve both data transmission and ACK/NACK signaling purposes. The same uplink resources allocated for data can be used for acknowledgment signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated channels and improving overall system capacity utilization.
2Productivity
If resource assignments are scheduled for control signaling messages, then uplink capacity is optimized, but excessive overhead is introduced in the downlink control signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user equipment to self-assign uplink resources for ACK/NACK signaling by using the downlink resource allocation information already received. Each UE independently determines its own uplink resources based on the allocation tables, eliminating the need for the network to send separate control signaling messages for resource assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining uplink resource allocations in the downlink resource allocation information before the actual ACK/NACK transmission is needed. This allows UEs to have their resources pre-assigned without requiring additional real-time control signaling.
3Reliability
If all active UEs are allocated separate reservation channels for ACK/NACK, then acknowledgment signaling is ensured, but system capacity is wasted when traffic patterns vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the resource allocation flexible and adaptive to varying traffic patterns. Instead of fixed reserved channels, the system dynamically assigns uplink resources based on actual downlink allocation information and user traffic conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing numbers of active users and their data transmission needs.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The specification and drawings present a new method, system, apparatus and software product for implicit signaling and defining uplink allocations for an acknowledgment of downlink data using user downlink resource allocations, e.g., combined with user equipment detection of other user's allocations for data-non- associated signaling of hybrid automatic request process (HARQ) control information. Sequences of the downlink resource allocations are used to pre-define associated uplink control signaling resources.