Grant-Free HARQ Process Control for NTN Memory Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The non-terrestrial network (NTN) system faces an explosive increase in HARQ buffer resource requirements due to its large cell radius and higher number of potential users, leading to resource shortages and memory issues on the network device side, especially with the grant-free transmission protocol where resources cannot be dynamically scheduled.
Innovation Solution
A HARQ process management method where the network device sends indication information to terminal devices to suspend or resume HARQ processes, using timers and random backoff to manage resource usage efficiently, thereby alleviating memory pressure and improving resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If grant-free transmission protocol is used with preconfigured resources, then terminal device transmission efficiency is improved, but network device memory resources are exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic suspension and resumption mechanisms for HARQ processes. The network device can dynamically suspend HARQ processes when buffer resources are insufficient and resume them when resources are available, transforming the static resource allocation into a dynamic adaptive system that balances transmission efficiency with memory resource constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network device sends indication information to terminal devices about HARQ process status. This feedback loop allows the terminal to adjust its transmission behavior based on network conditions, preventing memory exhaustion while maintaining transmission efficiency through coordinated control
2Area of stationary object
If large cell radius is used in NTN network, then network coverage is expanded, but HARQ buffer resource requirements increase explosively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the HARQ resource pool into multiple pools corresponding to different GF resource groups. This segmentation allows the network to manage buffer resources more efficiently by allocating and suspending processes in specific pools based on current demand, rather than maintaining a single large buffer for all possible users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by suspending HARQ processes when buffer resources are insufficient rather than attempting to accommodate all possible transmissions simultaneously. This selective approach allows the system to operate within memory constraints while maintaining the ability to resume transmission when resources become available
3Reliability
If multiple HARQ processes are supported simultaneously, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple HARQ processes into unified resource pools that can be collectively managed. By pooling resources across different GF resource groups and implementing unified suspension/resumption control, the system maintains support for multiple simultaneous transmissions while reducing the complexity of individual process management through consolidation
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process management system and method, the method including determining, based on usage of a HARQ resource in a first HARQ resource pool, that first indication information needs to be sent, where the first HARQ resource pool corresponds to a first grant free (GF) resource group, and sending the first indication information to a first terminal device, where the first indication information indicates to suspend sending a new HARQ process, and where the first terminal device is a terminal device configured with at least one GF resource in the first GF resource group.