Mini-slot Control Signaling for URLLC Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in efficiently multiplexing ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) transmissions, particularly in managing mini-slots to meet stringent latency and reliability requirements for URLLC services.

Innovation Solution

The method involves identifying and transmitting control signaling information for mini-slots within eMBB slots to enable on-demand URLLC transmissions, using techniques like index values and resource allocation to facilitate efficient multiplexing and resource usage, allowing for shorter turn-around times and improved latency performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If mini-slots are used for URLLC transmissions within eMBB slots, then latency is reduced and URLLC reliability is improved, but resource allocation complexity and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eMBB slot is segmented into multiple mini-slots, where each mini-slot can independently carry URLLC transmissions. This segmentation allows the system to allocate resources flexibly by selecting specific mini-slots within an eMBB slot structure, reducing latency for URLLC while maintaining the overall slot framework to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the number and position of mini-slots within eMBB slots can be adjusted based on URLLC traffic demands. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt resource allocation to varying latency requirements without requiring complete reconfiguration of the transmission framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If mini-slots are used for URLLC transmissions, then URLLC reliability is improved, but control signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveURLLC reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges control signaling for multiple mini-slots into consolidated indication messages. Instead of sending separate control signals for each mini-slot, the system combines resource allocation information for multiple mini-slots into a single control message, reducing control signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to allocate resources reliably across multiple mini-slots for URLLC transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple mini-slots are allocated within eMBB slots, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but scheduling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different properties to different mini-slots within eMBB slots based on local traffic requirements. Each mini-slot can be configured with specific resource allocation parameters suited to its intended use, allowing efficient resource utilization for URLLC in specific mini-slots while maintaining standard eMBB operation in others, without requiring complex global re-scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3536076B1Ultra-reliable low-latency communication mini-slot control
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3536076B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3536076B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3536076B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may identify control signaling information for a mini-slot to be used for an ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) transmission within an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) slot. The apparatus may transmit the control signaling information within the eMBB slot.