Multi-TRP PUCCH Transmission Signaling for URLLC Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) due to limitations in multi-transmission reception point (TRP) support, particularly in handling diverse traffic with varying latency and reliability standards.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dynamic signaling of multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources in downlink control information (DCI) scheduling for multi-TRP based PDSCH transmission, enabling enhanced diversity order and increased system reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If single-TRP PUCCH transmission is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability is insufficient for URLLC requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH transmission reliabilityVSAvoidmulti-TRP coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PUCCH transmission function by introducing separate PUCCH resource indicators (PRI and PUCCH resource indicator) that independently control different transmission paths. This allows the system to divide the single PUCCH transmission into multiple independent TRP transmissions, improving reliability through diversity while managing complexity through standardized segmentation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-TRP to multi-TRP PUCCH transmission by adding spatial dimensionality. Multiple TRPs transmit PUCCH resources simultaneously across different spatial paths, creating diversity order improvements. This dimensional expansion enables URLLC reliability requirements to be met without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multi-TRP PUCCH transmission is implemented, then reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH reception reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by designing DCI formats that simultaneously carry multiple indicators: PRI for first TRP scheduling, PUCCH resource indicator for second TRP scheduling, and spatial relation information. This universal signaling structure reduces overall overhead compared to separate signaling mechanisms while enabling comprehensive multi-TRP PUCCH transmission control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes signaling parameters by introducing compact indicator fields (PRI with specific bit lengths, PUCCH resource indicator formats) that efficiently encode multi-TRP transmission parameters. These parameter optimizations reduce the total signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to control multiple PUCCH resources across different TRPs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic signaling of multiple PUCCH resources is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH resource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidUE processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring PUCCH resource sets and spatial relation information through RRC signaling before dynamic transmission. This allows the UE to have ready-made resource pools and processing templates, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining high adaptability through dynamic selection from pre-configured options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces MAC Control Elements as intermediaries that bridge RRC configuration and dynamic DCI signaling. These MAC CEs provide intermediate activation and selection mechanisms for PUCCH resources, simplifying UE processing by organizing the large configuration space into manageable, dynamically selectable groups rather than requiring direct handling of all parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3850780B1Enhanced physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission for high reliability
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 APPLE INC
  • EP3850780B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3850780B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3850780B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Technology is disclosed for a user equipment (UE) operable for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission. The UE can be configured to: decode a multiple-PUCCH transmission indicator, wherein the multiple-PUCCH transmission indicator enables multiple-PUCCH transmissions from the UE via a plurality of transmission-reception points (TRPs); decode one or more PUCCH resource fields in a downlink control information (DCI); and identify from the one or more PUCCH resource fields in the DCI: one or more PUCCH resources associated with a primary TRP of the plurality of TRPs, wherein the one or more PUCCH resources associated with the primary TRP are used for hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) feedback; or one or more PUCCH resources associated with a secondary TRP of the plurality of TRPs, wherein the one or more PUCCH resources associated with the secondary TRP are used for HARQ-ACK feedback.