PUCCH Resource Allocation for 5G Multicast ACK/NACK Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved techniques in 5G NR to efficiently allocate uplink control channel resources for acknowledgement of downlink multicast data transmissions, as existing methods lack effective mechanisms for supporting multiple multicast transmissions and efficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method where user equipment (UE) determines physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources for transmitting multicast acknowledgement (ACK)/negative acknowledgement (NACK) feedback, selecting resources based on the number of bits in uplink control information (UCI) and a PUCCH resource indicator (PRI), allowing for independent or shared resource allocation for multiple multicast services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acknowledgement feedback is supported for multiple multicast transmissions in 5G NR, then reliability and efficiency of multicast communications are improved, but uplink control channel resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments uplink control channel resources into multiple PUCCH resource sets, where each set is dedicated to specific multicast services or transmission types. This segmentation allows independent resource management for different multicast groups, reducing the overall complexity of resource allocation while supporting multiple simultaneous multicast transmissions with reliable acknowledgment feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal resource allocation framework where PUCCH resources can be dynamically assigned for both unicast and multicast acknowledgment feedback. The base station can configure and indicate appropriate PUCCH resources based on the specific service type, enabling the same uplink control channel infrastructure to serve multiple functions (unicast and multicast) without requiring separate dedicated resources for each, thus improving reliability while managing complexity.
2Reliability
If separate resource allocation is implemented for multiple multicast services, then reliability of individual service acknowledgements is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the base station can flexibly assign and reconfigure PUCCH resources based on current network conditions, service requirements, and traffic patterns. This dynamic approach allows the system to provide dedicated resources when needed for reliable acknowledgment feedback while sharing resources across multiple multicast services during normal operation, thus maintaining both high reliability and efficient resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the base station to modify PUCCH resource configurations, indicators, and allocations based on the specific requirements of different multicast services. By changing resource parameters (such as time-frequency resources, coding schemes, and modulation formats) according to service priorities and channel conditions, the system achieves reliable acknowledgment feedback for critical services while maintaining efficient overall resource utilization across the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Support for hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment feedback for multiple multicast services in 5G new radio (NR) is provided. Resource allocation techniques are provided to allocate uplink control channel resource for acknowledgment of downlink multicast data transmissions associated with one or more multicast services. An apparatus, such a user equipment (UE), receives multicast data associated with one or more multicast services from a base station. The apparatus determines an uplink resource, such as a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource, for transmitting multicast acknowledgement feedback, such as positive acknowledgement (ACK)/negative acknowledgement (NACK) feedback, in response to the received multicast data. The apparatus transmits the acknowledgement feedback for the one or more multicast services to the base station in the determined uplink resource.