PUCCH Resource Allocation via Implicit Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently allocating resources for transmitting uplink control information, particularly in determining the number of bits for acknowledgement (ACK) transmissions based on downlink assignment index (DAI) bits, which can lead to inefficiencies in network bandwidth usage and increased overhead.

Innovation Solution

The method involves receiving an uplink grant with DAI bits from a base station, determining the number of bits for ACK transmission, and implicitly mapping these resources within a subset of available resources, reducing the need for explicit RRC signaling and minimizing network bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If explicit RRC signaling is used to allocate PUCCH resources, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but network overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the resource allocation information from explicit RRC signaling and embeds it within the DCI structure. The PUCCH resource indicator is taken out as a separate field within the DCI message, allowing resource allocation to be conveyed through the existing uplink grant signaling mechanism rather than requiring dedicated RRC signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the PUCCH resource allocation function with the existing DCI uplink grant signaling. By combining the resource indicator field into the DCI structure that is already transmitted for uplink scheduling, the system eliminates the need for separate RRC signaling while maintaining accurate resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the number of ACK bits is not properly controlled, then transmission reliability is improved, but network bandwidth usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of ACK bit transmission by introducing a counter mechanism that tracks the number of ACK bits sent. The counter is incremented when ACK bits are transmitted and reset when a specific condition is met (when the counter reaches a threshold value). This dynamic adjustment prevents excessive ACK bit transmission while ensuring reliable acknowledgment of downlink assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If more PUCCH resources are allocated, then ACK transmission reliability is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveACK transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a threshold value for the ACK bit counter before transmission begins. This pre-set threshold determines when the counter should be reset, allowing the system to proactively control resource usage patterns and prevent excessive resource allocation before it occurs, thereby maintaining efficiency while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3829247B1Physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource allocation
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3829247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3829247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3829247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for resource allocation for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) used to carry uplink control information (UCI). Certain aspects provide a method for wireless communication by a user equipment. The method generally includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) comprising one or more resource indicator (RI) bits configured to indicate to the user equipment a subset of resources available for transmitting UCI in a PUCCH transmission, wherein the DCI is received on one or more resources of a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission. The method further includes identifying resources within the subset indicated by the RI bits to transmit the UCI based on an implicit mapping of PDCCH resources to PUCCH resources and the one or more resources of the first PDCCH transmission. The method further includes transmitting the UCI using the identified resources.