Priority-Aware PUCCH Multiplexing for Overlapping HARQ-ACK
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently multiplexing uplink control information (UCI) of different priorities, particularly when high-priority and low-priority HARQ-ACK information overlap, leading to potential degradation of downlink throughput for low-priority traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for multiplexing uplink control information of different priorities by combining overlapping high-priority and low-priority HARQ-ACK on a third physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) based on a higher priority configuration, ensuring that high-priority UCI is transmitted without interfering with low-priority UCI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-priority and low-priority HARQ-ACK information are transmitted on separate PUCCH resources when overlapping, then high-priority UCI transmission reliability is improved, but downlink throughput for low-priority traffic deteriorates due to cancellation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines overlapping high-priority and low-priority HARQ-ACK information into a single multiplexed transmission on one PUCCH resource. When time-domain overlap is detected, the system merges the UCI payloads and transmits them together, eliminating the need to cancel low-priority transmissions and thereby maintaining downlink throughput while still ensuring high-priority information is included in the multiplexed signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal PUCCH transmission mechanism that can handle multiple priority levels within a single channel. The multiplexed PUCCH is designed to carry both high-priority and low-priority UCI simultaneously, making the transmission resource multi-functional and eliminating the trade-off between priority levels.
2Reliability
If low-priority HARQ-ACK is cancelled when overlapping with high-priority HARQ-ACK, then high-priority UCI transmission is ensured, but loss of low-priority information increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cancelling low-priority HARQ-ACK, the patent merges it with high-priority HARQ-ACK into a single multiplexed payload. Both pieces of information are preserved and transmitted together in one PUCCH, eliminating information loss while ensuring high-priority transmission requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of overlapping transmissions (which would require cancellation) into a benefit by demonstrating that multiplexed transmission can accommodate both priorities simultaneously. The overlapping that would normally cause cancellation is instead utilized as an opportunity for efficient resource utilization with no information loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate PUCCH resources are allocated for different priorities, then UCI transmission flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple resource configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces complexity by creating a universal PUCCH resource that serves multiple priority levels. Instead of maintaining separate configurations for high-priority and low-priority transmissions, a single multiplexed PUCCH configuration handles both, simplifying the resource management while preserving transmission flexibility through priority-based multiplexing logic.
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AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for multiplexing uplink control information of different priorities. One method (500) includes determining (502) a first transmission of first uplink control information (UCI) on a PUCCH of a first priority, the first PUCCH being based on a first PUCCH configuration. The method (500) includes determining (504) a second transmission of second UCI on a second PUCCH of a second priority, the second PUCCH being based on a second PUCCH configuration. The method (500) includes, in response to determining that the first PUCCH of the first priority overlaps in time with the second PUCCH of the second priority, multiplexing (506) at least part of the first UCI with the second UCI on a third PUCCH of the second priority, the third PUCCH being based on the second PUCCH configuration. The second priority is higher than the first priority.