Multi-PUCCH HARQ Feedback via Single DCI Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In latency-critical applications like extended reality (XR), existing methods for scheduling multiple physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) result in high latency for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback, as all scheduled PDSCHs are forced to use the same physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) occasion, leading to delayed HARQ feedback.

Innovation Solution

A single downlink control information (DCI) schedules multiple PDSCHs to have multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) occasions for sending HARQ feedback, allowing each PDSCH to use a different PUCCH occasion based on indicated timing indicators (K1) and PUCCH resource indicators (PRI), enabling earlier transmission of HARQ feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single DCI schedules multiple PDSCHs to use the same PUCCH occasion for HARQ feedback, then the scheduling structure is simple, but the HARQ feedback latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling structureVSAvoidHARQ feedback latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single PUCCH occasion into multiple PUCCH occasions, allowing each PDSCH to have its own dedicated feedback timing. This segmentation of the feedback channel enables earlier HARQ feedback transmission without complicating the overall scheduling structure, as each segmented PUCCH occasion can be independently configured with its own K1 value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration of multiple PUCCH occasions with different timing indicators (K1 values) within a single DCI. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt feedback timing based on specific PDSCH characteristics while maintaining flexibility in the scheduling structure, thereby reducing latency without sacrificing structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If all PDSCHs use the same PUCCH occasion, then the control signaling is simplified, but the responsiveness of HARQ feedback is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signalingVSAvoidHARQ feedback responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different PUCCH occasions with specific timing indicators to different PDSCHs based on their individual requirements. Each PDSCH receives tailored feedback timing (local optimization) while the overall DCI structure remains unified. This allows enhanced feedback responsiveness for each PDSCH without requiring completely separate control signaling for each one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary configuration of multiple PUCCH occasions within the DCI before the PDSCH transmission occurs. By pre-configuring the timing indicators and PUCCH resource indications, the system prepares feedback channels in advance, enabling immediate and responsive HARQ feedback transmission without requiring complex real-time control signaling adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If multiple PUCCH occasions are configured for multiple PDSCHs, then the HARQ feedback latency is reduced, but the DCI structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHARQ feedback latencyVSAvoidDCI structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple PUCCH occasion configurations into a single DCI structure, combining what would traditionally be separate control signals into one unified message. This merging approach reduces the overall control signaling overhead while still providing multiple timing indicators and PUCCH resource indications, thereby reducing latency without proportionally increasing DCI complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the DCI to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it schedules multiple PDSCHs, configures multiple PUCCH occasions with different timing indicators, and provides PUCCH resource indications all within a single control information block. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control messages, thereby reducing latency while keeping DCI structure manageable through consolidation rather than expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240057082A1Multi-physical uplink control channel for multi-physical downlink shared channel scheduling

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A system and a method are disclosed for using a single DCI to schedule multi-PDSCHs to have multiple PUCCH occasions for sending HARQ feedback for the PDSCHs. A method includes receiving, from a base station, a DCI for multiple PDSCHs, the DCI including an indication of at least one PRI and at least one timing indicator (K1) for providing multiple PUCCHs to carry HARQ feedback for the PDSCHs; receiving the PDSCHs from the base station; determining a PRI value and a K1 value for each of the multiple PUCCHs, based on the indication of the at least one PRI and the at least one K1; and transmitting, to the base station, at least one PUCCH among the multiple PUCCHs including the HARQ feedback for the PDSCHs, based on the determined PRI and K1 values.