PUCCH Frequency Hopping Patterns for Mixed-Capability UEs

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Solution Overview

Problem

In contention-based random access (CBRA) processes, terminals with varying capabilities, such as NR UEs and RedCap UEs, face challenges in completing PUCCH transmission due to bandwidth limitations, leading to unreliable frequency hopping mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Implementing two types of PUCCH frequency hopping patterns: one with adjacent time domain symbols and another with an interval between symbols, tailored for UEs with strong or weak capacities to ensure reliable transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single frequency hopping pattern is used for all terminals, then the system complexity is reduced, but terminals with weak capability cannot complete PUCCH transmission when the bandwidth exceeds their operating bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH transmission completion rateVSAvoidfrequency hopping pattern configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency hopping patterns into multiple types (first-type and second-type patterns) based on terminal capability. Terminals with strong capability use first-type patterns without intervals, while terminals with weak capability use second-type patterns with intervals, allowing each segment to operate within its capability limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the frequency hopping pattern to change based on terminal capability. The network can dynamically select appropriate patterns for different terminals, and the hopping behavior adapts to terminal bandwidth constraints through the interval parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If frequency hopping is enabled for PUCCH transmission, then frequency diversity and reliability are improved, but terminals with limited bandwidth cannot track the hopping and complete transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCBRA process reliabilityVSAvoidterminal tracking capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency hopping parameters (specifically the interval between time domain symbols) based on terminal capability. By adjusting the interval parameter, the system makes frequency hopping trackable for terminals with weak capability while maintaining full frequency diversity benefits for terminals with strong capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the network configures a large initial uplink bandwidth part, then system capacity and bandwidth utilization are improved, but terminals with weak capability cannot support the configured bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidterminal bandwidth compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal frequency hopping mechanism that serves multiple terminal types simultaneously. The same PUCCH resource configuration can be used by both strong-capability terminals (using first-type patterns) and weak-capability terminals (using second-type patterns), making the system universally compatible across different terminal capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4319438B1Channel transmission method, channel receiving method, communication node, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ZTE CORP
  • EP4319438B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4319438B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4319438B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a channel transmission and reception method, a communication node, and a storage medium. The channel transmission method includes determining a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) frequency hopping pattern, where the PUCCH frequency hopping pattern is one of preset frequency hopping patterns, and the preset frequency hopping patterns include at least two types of frequency hopping patterns; where in a first-type frequency hopping pattern, a PUCCH before and after hopping occupies adjacent time domain symbols, and in a second-type frequency hopping pattern, an interval exists between time domain symbols occupied by the PUCCH before and after the hopping; and transmitting a PUCCH corresponding to the PUCCH frequency hopping pattern according to the PUCCH frequency hopping pattern.