Priority-Based HARQ-ACK Transmission in Contended Uplink Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Future wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently supporting diverse devices with varying data traffic profiles and latency requirements, particularly in unlicensed frequency bands, where contention for resources can lead to HARQ-ACK feedback failures due to unavailable uplink communications resources.
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting HARQ-ACK using next available communications resources, differentiated by priority, to ensure timely acknowledgment signaling even when uplink resources are not initially allocated, employing transmission rules that prioritize urgent transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uplink communications resources are allocated for HARQ-ACK transmission in unlicensed frequency bands, then HARQ-ACK feedback reliability is improved, but resource contention and unavailable uplink resources worsen due to contention-based access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the HARQ-ACK transmission adaptable to changing channel conditions and resource availability. The communications device dynamically selects transmission resources based on whether initially allocated uplink resources are available, transitioning to alternative resources when needed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing reliable HARQ-ACK feedback while responding to contention-based resource availability in unlicensed bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by identifying and preparing alternative uplink communications resources in advance before HARQ-ACK transmission is needed. The device proactively determines next available resources using transmission rules before the actual feedback transmission occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when initial resources are unavailable due to contention, the device can immediately use pre-identified alternatives, maintaining reliability without being blocked by resource contention.
2Loss of time
If next available uplink communications resources are used for HARQ-ACK transmission, then transmission timeliness is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the resource selection parameters based on priority information. The device changes which uplink resources are selected for HARQ-ACK transmission depending on the priority of the downlink data, using different transmission rules for different priority levels. This parameter-based selection resolves the contradiction by enabling timely transmission through flexible resource selection while managing complexity through standardized priority-based rules.
3Productivity
If priority-based resource selection is implemented for HARQ-ACK transmission, then transmission efficiency for diverse devices is improved, but transmission rule complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by applying different transmission rules to different priority levels of HARQ-ACK transmissions. Instead of using a single uniform rule for all transmissions, the device applies locally optimized rules based on the specific priority of the data being acknowledged. This resolves the contradiction by improving transmission efficiency for diverse devices with different latency requirements while managing rule complexity through a structured priority-based approach where each priority level has its own optimized transmission characteristics.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of receiving data at a communications device from a wireless communications network is provided. The method comprises receiving downlink control information indicating an allocation of downlink communications resources of a wireless access interface provided by the wireless communications network for receiving downlink data, the downlink control information also providing an indication of a relative priority associated with the received downlink data, and receiving the downlink data from the allocated downlink communications resources. According to an automatic repeat request process, the communications device then performs the steps of determining whether the downlink data was successfully received, and generating an automatic repeat request acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement, HARQ-ACK, in accordance with whether or not the downlink data was successfully received. The communications device then performs the steps of determining that uplink communications resources for transmitting the HARQ-ACK are not available, using transmission rules to identify next available uplink communications resources presenting an opportunity for transmitting the HARQ-ACK, and using the indication of the relative priority associated with the received downlink data to determine whether the communications device can transmit the HARQ-ACK in the next available uplink communications resources as the resource opportunity to transmit the HARQ-ACK.