NTN IoT HARQ Control via DCI Indication With Lower Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
In NTN IoT systems, configuring HARQ feedback enabling or disabling per HARQ process via RRC parameter leads to significant signaling overhead, making it challenging to guarantee at least one HARQ process with feedback enabling for NBIoT with a single HARQ process.
Innovation Solution
Implementing DCI indication for dynamic HARQ feedback enabling or disabling using existing DCI fields or a newly introduced 1-bit field to manage HARQ processes, allowing flexible configuration without increasing DCI size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If HARQ feedback enabling or disabling is configured per HARQ process via RRC parameter, then HARQ process management flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static RRC configuration to dynamic DCI-based configuration. The HARQ feedback enabling/disabling state is no longer fixed through RRC signaling but can be dynamically adjusted per transport block scheduling through DCI fields, allowing flexible adaptation without repeated RRC reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter delivery mechanism from RRC layer configuration to DCI layer indication. By using existing DCI fields (MCS, repetition number, HARQ-ACK resource) or a new 1-bit field to indicate HARQ feedback enabling/disabling, the system changes how configuration parameters are transmitted, reducing overhead while maintaining flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RRC reconfiguration is used to configure HARQ feedback enabling or disabling, then configuration flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the configuration dynamic by moving from semi-static RRC configuration to dynamic DCI-based indication. The HARQ feedback enabling/disabling can be changed on a per-transport-block basis through DCI signaling, eliminating the need for repeated RRC reconfiguration and reducing overall signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the configuration mechanism into two parts: RRC layer for general configuration and DCI layer for specific per-transport-block control. This segmentation allows flexible configuration without requiring full RRC reconfiguration, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DCI size is increased to add HARQ enabling/disabling indication field, then HARQ process management flexibility is improved, but control signal size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by making existing DCI fields serve dual purposes. The MCS field, repetition number field, or HARQ-ACK resource field not only carry their original information but also indicate HARQ feedback enabling/disabling state. This allows the DCI to maintain its original size while adding new functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the HARQ feedback enabling/disabling indication function with existing DCI fields. Instead of adding a separate field, the indication is combined with the MCS field, repetition number field, or HARQ-ACK resource field, thereby achieving flexible HARQ management without increasing DCI size.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for NTN IoT HARQ enabling and disabling with DCI indication are disclosed. A UE comprises a processor, and a transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive, via the transceiver, a control signal scheduling one or multiple transport block(s), where each of the transport block(s) is associated with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process with HARQ feedback enabling or an HARQ process with HARQ feedback disabling based on at least one of MCS field, repetition number field, HARQ-ACK resource field and HARQ enabling/disabling activation field in the control signal; and receive, via the transceiver, the transport block(s) based on the control signal.