Autonomous NR-U Uplink Feedback Across Aggregated Unlicensed Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, asynchronous channel accesses and different channel properties between high-frequency and low-frequency bands create challenges for uplink feedbacks and reports, such as hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) and link adaptation, due to UE capability limitations and MPE constraints, preventing unscheduled uplink responses.

Innovation Solution

Implementing autonomous uplink (AUL) transmissions of uplink control information (UCI) using listen-before-talk (LBT) procedures, allowing UEs to transmit unscheduled UCI on AUL data resources in low-frequency bands without scheduling grants, enabling asynchronous channel access across multiple aggregated unlicensed or shared frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a BS schedules a UE to transmit UCI in the same high-frequency band where DL communication occurs, then the BS can receive timely HARQ feedback and channel information, but the UE cannot transmit the response due to MPE constraints and capability limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUCI transmission reliabilityVSAvoidMPE constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into two independent frequency bands: high-frequency band for downlink communication and low-frequency band for autonomous uplink transmissions. This segmentation allows the UE to transmit UCI in the low-frequency band without being affected by MPE constraints that limit high-frequency uplink transmission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The low-frequency band acts as an intermediary medium that enables UCI transmission when the high-frequency band cannot be used for uplink. The BS configures AUL resources in the low-frequency band, which serves as a substitute channel for carrying HARQ feedback and channel information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the BS gains channel access in the high-frequency band for DL communication, then downlink transmission can proceed, but the BS cannot necessarily gain access to the low-frequency band for receiving UCI responses

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDL communication efficiencyVSAvoidUCI feedback delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously monitors the low-frequency band for AUL resource configurations and independently transmits UCI when resources become available, without requiring BS scheduling grants. This self-service mechanism allows the UE to seize transmission opportunities in the low-frequency band independently of BS channel access in the high-frequency band

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic AUL resource configuration where the BS can flexibly allocate uplink resources in the low-frequency band based on current channel conditions and traffic requirements. The UE dynamically monitors and utilizes these resources as they become available, creating an adaptive feedback mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If scheduled uplink transmissions are used for UCI, then the BS can control transmission timing and resources, but the UE cannot transmit unscheduled responses due to lack of scheduling grants

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBS control over uplinkVSAvoidUCI transmission speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The BS pre-configures AUL resources in the low-frequency band before the UE needs to transmit UCI. This preliminary resource allocation enables the UE to immediately transmit feedback when downlink data is received, without waiting for dynamic scheduling grants, thus reducing latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12550145B2Uplink control information transmission on autonomous uplink in new radio-unlicensed (NR-U)

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Wireless communications systems and methods related to communicating uplink control information (UCI) in a network operating over multiple aggregated unlicensed carriers are provided. A first wireless communication device communicates, with a second wireless communication device, a downlink communication signal. The first wireless communication device communicates, with the second wireless communication device, an unscheduled uplink communication signal including an uplink report associated with the downlink communication signal, the unscheduled uplink communication signal communicated based on a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure. The uplink report includes at least one of an acknowledgement (ACK) for data in the downlink communication signal, a negative-acknowledgement (NACK) for the data in the downlink communication signal, or channel information based at least on the downlink communication signal.