NTN HARQ-ACK Multiplexing on PUSCH Under PUCCH Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) systems, the overlap between Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) resources in the time domain complicates the determination of whether to multiplex Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledge (HARQ-ACK) information and the size of the HARQ-ACK information when HARQ-ACK feedback is disabled for certain processes.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining whether to multiplex HARQ-ACK information on PUSCH and the number of bits included, based on Downlink Assignment Index (DAI) information and reception situations, considering enabled and disabled HARQ processes, using DCI formats and configured grants to manage HARQ-ACK feedback in NTN systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If HARQ-ACK feedback is disabled for certain downlink HARQ processes in NTN systems, then the complexity of HARQ-ACK codebook construction is reduced, but the resource utilization efficiency deteriorates when PUCCH and PUSCH resources overlap in time domain

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHARQ-ACK codebook construction complexityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the HARQ-ACK feedback mechanism adaptive rather than static. The terminal device dynamically determines whether to multiplex HARQ-ACK information on PUSCH based on the overlap relationship between PUCCH and PUSCH resources in the time domain. When overlap is detected, the system dynamically switches to multiplexing on PUSCH; otherwise, it uses the configured PUCCH resource, optimizing resource utilization in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of HARQ-ACK transmission location from a fixed configured value to a dynamically determined value based on resource overlap conditions. By evaluating the time domain overlap between PUCCH and PUSCH, the system adjusts the transmission parameter (PUCCH vs PUSCH) to avoid conflicts and improve resource efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the terminal device multiplexes HARQ-ACK information on PUSCH when PUCCH and PUSCH resources overlap, then resource utilization is improved, but the determination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmultiplexing determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal device perform a preliminary check to determine whether PUCCH and PUSCH resources overlap in the time domain before making the multiplexing decision. This advance detection simplifies the subsequent determination process by establishing clear criteria: if overlap exists, multiplex on PUSCH; if not, use configured PUCCH resource

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device autonomously determines whether to multiplex HARQ-ACK information on PUSCH by itself evaluating the resource overlap condition. The device uses its own received configuration information and scheduled resources to make the decision without requiring complex network-side coordination, simplifying the overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the terminal device uses configured PUCCH resource for HARQ-ACK feedback, then the feedback reliability is improved, but the time domain resource conflict worsens when PUSCH transmission is scheduled

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHARQ-ACK feedback reliabilityVSAvoidtime domain resource conflict

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces PUSCH as an intermediary resource for HARQ-ACK transmission when PUCCH resources conflict with PUSCH in the time domain. Instead of insisting on using the original PUCCH resource, the system uses PUSCH as an alternative transmission path, resolving the time domain conflict while maintaining feedback functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional HARQ-ACK transmission approach by allowing uplink data channel (PUSCH) to carry downlink acknowledgment information (HARQ-ACK) instead of exclusively using the control channel (PUCCH). This inversion resolves the resource conflict by utilizing the already-scheduled PUSCH resource for dual purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4216628B1Wireless communication method, terminal device and network device

Publication Date: 2025.11.26 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

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AI summary

A wireless communication method, a terminal device and a network device, the method comprising: a terminal device determines to transmit a first physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), wherein the first PUSCH is associated with a first physical downlink channel; the terminal device determines whether to multiplex and transmit first hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) information on the first PUSCH according to the receiving conditions of the first physical downlink channel, wherein the first HARQ-ACK information corresponds to the receiving conditions of the first physical downlink channel.