Multiplexing Overlapping PUCCH Resources in New Radio
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of new radio (NR) wireless communication systems, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently multiplexing multiple uplink control information types over overlapping physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources, leading to complexities in resource allocation and payload management.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves determining overlapping PUCCH resources with different payload sizes and formats, allowing for the multiplexing of uplink control information (UCI) types such as HARQ-ACK, CSI, and scheduling requests (SR) by adjusting the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) and using specific formats like PUCCH formats 2, 3, and 4 to combine payloads efficiently, with priority rules for dropping or appending UCI to align with NR NodeB and UE alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PUCCH resources with different formats are used to carry different UCI types, then the capability to transmit diverse control information is improved, but the complexity of resource management and multiplexing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PUCCH resources carrying different UCI types (HARQ-ACK, CSI, SR) into a single PUCCH resource when overlap is detected. The UE determines that overlapping PUCCH resources should be multiplexed together, combining their payloads into one transmission resource, thereby reducing the number of separate resource management operations while maintaining the ability to transmit diverse control information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a single PUCCH resource to serve multiple functions by allowing it to carry combined payloads of different UCI types. The same PUCCH resource can transmit HARQ-ACK, CSI, and/or SR information together, making the resource multi-functional and reducing the need for separate dedicated resources for each UCI type.
2Reliability
If PUCCH resources are allocated for different UCI types, then the reliability of control information transmission is improved, but the overhead of resource allocation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces resource allocation overhead by merging multiple PUCCH resource allocations into a single resource. Instead of allocating separate resources for HARQ-ACK, CSI, and SR that may overlap in time, the system allocates one consolidated PUCCH resource to carry all three UCI types together, thereby reducing the total quantity of allocated resources while maintaining reliable transmission of all control information.
3Ease of operation
If overlapping PUCCH resources are handled by selecting one format, then the simplicity of processing is improved, but the loss of information from dropping UCI types occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of dropping UCI types when PUCCH resources overlap, the patent merges the overlapping resources and combines their payloads. The UE multiplexes HARQ-ACK, CSI, and SR information from different PUCCH formats into a single combined payload transmitted on one PUCCH resource, thereby preserving all control information while simplifying the processing to a single transmission operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary multiplexing of UCI payloads before transmission. The UE combines the payloads from different PUCCH formats in advance, determining the appropriate PUCCH format and resource to carry the combined information, thereby avoiding the need to drop any UCI types and ensuring complete information transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for determining that a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource and a second PUCCH resource at least partially overlap are provided. The first PUCCH resource has a payload of a first size carrying a first uplink control information (UCI) in a first format, and the second PUCCH resource has a payload of a second size carrying a second UCI in a second format. Furthermore, the first UCI and the second UCI are multiplexed to form a combined payload to be carried by the first PUCCH resource in the first format or by the second PUCCH resource in the second format. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.