PUCCH Repetition Capability Signaling for 5G UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, lack a method for a user equipment (UE) to effectively indicate its capability or incapability to transmit the physical uplink control channel with repetitions, which is crucial for maintaining signal quality and coverage, especially during initial access when UE capabilities are unknown to the network.
Innovation Solution
The UE determines signal characteristics, such as a dedicated demodulation reference signal pattern or slot shift, to indicate its capability or incapability to transmit the physical uplink control channel with repetitions, and transmits these characteristics to the network node, allowing the network to adjust its configuration accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network configures PUCCH repetitions for all UEs, then coverage enhancement is improved, but UEs incapable of repetitions will experience increased overhead and potential collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring PUCCH repetitions selectively based on individual UE capabilities. The network node determines whether each UE is capable of PUCCH repetitions and applies the repetition configuration only to capable UEs, while non-capable UEs use standard single-transmission PUCCH. This resolves the contradiction by providing coverage enhancement (improving reliability) only where needed, without imposing overhead on UEs that cannot utilize repetitions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the network does not know UE capabilities during initial access, then adaptive configuration is improved, but the network cannot optimize transmission settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE indicate its PUCCH repetition capability during the initial access phase, before the network configures PUCCH resources. The UE transmits this capability information in an early message (e.g., Msg3 or Msg5 of the random access procedure), allowing the network to determine capability and make adaptive configuration decisions in subsequent messaging. This resolves the contradiction by providing capability information upfront, enabling both adaptability and optimized transmission settings.
3Reliability
If PUCCH repetitions are configured without capability indication, then coverage is enhanced, but collision probability increases for incapable UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating PUCCH configuration based on UE capability. Capable UEs receive PUCCH repetition configurations that enhance signal quality through multiple transmissions, while incapable UEs receive standard single-transmission configurations. The network node makes this differentiation by detecting the capability indication from the UE and applying appropriate configuration locally to each UE, thereby enhancing signal quality for capable UEs without creating collisions for incapable UEs.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining signal characteristics of a physical uplink control channel to indicate capability or incapability of the apparatus to transmit the physical uplink control channel with repetitions; and transmitting, to a network node, the physical uplink control channel with the signal characteristics indicating capability or incapability of the apparatus to transmit the physical uplink control channel with repetitions.