PUCCH Repetition Using Partial Symbols for Coverage Improvement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing PUCCH repetition methods in wireless communication systems are inefficient when some symbols within a slot are not available for transmission, leading to incomplete coverage enhancement and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

Propose methods for PUCCH transmission by using available symbols in slots where all consecutive symbols are not available, including generating a partial PUCCH using only available symbols, and adjusting the number and arrangement of PUCCH transmissions based on available resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PUCCH repetition transmission is performed only when all time resources configured in the slot are available, then transmission reliability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates and coverage enhancement is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH transmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allowing PUCCH transmission to proceed with only some symbols available instead of requiring all symbols. When some time resources are unavailable, the terminal transmits PUCCH using the available portion rather than abandoning the entire transmission, thus improving resource utilization while maintaining adequate reliability through the partial transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of PUCCH transmission from an all-or-nothing approach to a flexible approach where the number of transmitted symbols can be adjusted based on availability. The terminal determines the actual number of symbols to transmit by comparing configured resources with available resources, dynamically adapting the transmission parameters to current conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If PUCCH transmission is aborted when some time resources are unavailable, then transmission quality is maintained, but coverage enhancement capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH transmission qualityVSAvoidcoverage enhancement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables partial PUCCH transmission where the terminal transmits using available symbols even when not all configured time resources are available. This partial transmission approach maintains acceptable transmission quality while significantly improving coverage enhancement capability by ensuring transmissions occur rather than being completely aborted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptation where the terminal adjusts PUCCH transmission parameters based on real-time resource availability. The system transitions from a static all-or-nothing transmission approach to a dynamic approach where transmission parameters are modified according to current slot conditions, improving both reliability and coverage enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If all consecutive symbols are required for PUCCH transmission, then transmission integrity is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH transmission integrityVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allowing PUCCH transmission to proceed with a subset of available symbols rather than requiring all consecutive symbols. The terminal transmits using the available portion of the configured time resources, improving resource efficiency while maintaining sufficient transmission integrity for coverage enhancement purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4231573B1Pucch transmission for coverage improvement
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4231573B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4231573B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4231573B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present specification proposes a method for more efficiently using an uplink resource when a terminal performs repeated PUCCH transmission, and a communication device using the method. As an example, in a case of conventional PUCCH repetition, if some symbols among consecutive symbols for PUCCH transmission, which are included in a specific slot, are not available for PUCCH transmission, PUCCH transmission is not performed with respect to all the consecutive symbols for PUCCH transmission in the slot. On the other hand, according to an example of the present specification, a terminal may transmit a PUCCH by using symbols remaining after excluding the some symbols.