PUCCH Multiplexing HARQ-ACK and Scheduling Requests

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, particularly in 5G NR systems, coordinating the feedback of multiple uplink control information (UCI) pieces over a single uplink channel is challenging due to the uplink single-carrier feature, where only one uplink channel can be sent simultaneously, necessitating efficient methods to manage and multiplex UCI feedback.

Innovation Solution

A communication method where a terminal device receives downlink control information to determine cyclic shifts for sequences on overlapping time-domain symbols of physical uplink control channels (PUCCH), allowing multiple UCI pieces, such as HARQ-ACK and scheduling requests, to be carried on a single PUCCH by using pre-defined mapping relationships and pseudo-random number determinations to ensure timely and efficient communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple PUCCHs are simultaneously sent in frequency division manner, then multiple UCI pieces can be transmitted, but the uplink single-carrier feature cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoiduplink single-carrier feature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple PUCCH transmissions into a single PUCCH by multiplexing multiple UCI pieces (HARQ-ACK, SR, CSI) on one uplink channel using time-domain symbols and cyclic shifts, thereby maintaining the uplink single-carrier feature while achieving multiple UCI transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from frequency-division multiplexing to time-domain multiplexing by utilizing different time-domain symbols and cyclic shift values to carry multiple UCI pieces on a single frequency resource, thus preserving the single-carrier constraint while enabling multi-UCI transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If only one PUCCH is sent at a time, then the uplink single-carrier feature is maintained, but multiple UCI pieces cannot be simultaneously transmitted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink single-carrier featureVSAvoidtransmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments multiple UCI pieces into different time-domain symbols within a single PUCCH transmission, with each symbol carrying specific UCI information identified by cyclic shifts, enabling simultaneous transmission of multiple UCIs while maintaining single-carrier operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cyclic shifts as an intermediary mechanism to differentiate and identify multiple UCI pieces transmitted on the same time-frequency resource, allowing the single PUCCH to carry multiple UCIs without requiring separate frequency resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple PUCCHs are coordinated through complex multiplexing, then multiple UCI pieces can be carried on one channel, but the complexity of determining cyclic shifts and parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service by allowing the terminal to autonomously determine cyclic shifts and parameters based on pre-configured mapping relationships between UCI types and cyclic shift values, without requiring complex network coordination or additional signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3748886B1Communication methods and apparatuses for HARQ-ACK transmission and reception
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3748886B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3748886B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3748886B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This application relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular, to a communication method, an apparatus, and a system in a wireless communications system. In the method, a terminal device receives downlink control information that is sent by a network device and that indicates a first physical downlink control channel PUCCH, where the first PUCCH and a second PUCCH occupy a same first time-domain symbol, and the first PUCCH and a third PUCCH occupy a same second time-domain symbol; and the terminal device sends the first PUCCH, where the first PUCCH carries a first sequence and a second sequence, a cyclic shift of the first sequence is determined based on a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgment HARQ-ACK value and state information of a scheduling request SR corresponding to the second PUCCH, and a cyclic shift of the second sequence is determined based on the HARQ-ACK value and state information of an SR corresponding to the third PUCCH. According to the method, an HARQ-ACK and a plurality of SRs can be multiplexed on a same PUCCH for reporting, thereby improving communication efficiency and performance.