PUCCH Repetition Control Linked to PDCCH Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in resource utilization and increased latency due to the lack of dynamic indication of PUCCH repetition factors, leading to increased signaling overhead and system latency.

Innovation Solution

Dynamically indicating PUCCH repetition factors based on PDCCH or DCI, correlating channel conditions for scheduling repeated PDSCH with PUCCH repetition, allowing for efficient resource use and reduced latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If PUCCH repetition factors are statically configured, then signaling overhead is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the PUCCH repetition factor to be dynamically adjusted based on PDCCH repetition configurations. The network can indicate different repetition factors through DCI formats, allowing the system to adapt to varying channel conditions and traffic requirements in real-time, thus improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining manageable signaling overhead through standardized indication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If PUCCH repetition factors are dynamically indicated, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the DCI format to serve multiple functions: it not only schedules PDSCH transmissions but also indicates PUCCH repetition factors. The same DCI structure is used for both downlink scheduling and uplink repetition configuration, eliminating the need for separate dedicated signaling messages and thus reducing the overall signaling overhead while enabling dynamic adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the PUCCH repetition factor indication with the existing PDCCH scheduling functionality. By combining these two functions into a single DCI message, the patent avoids adding separate signaling overhead for repetition factor indication, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency without proportionally increasing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If PUCCH repetition is increased for coverage enhancement, then transmission reliability is improved, but system latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible adjustment of PUCCH repetition factors based on actual channel conditions and coverage requirements. The network can dynamically indicate higher repetition factors for UEs in poor coverage conditions to improve reliability, while allowing lower repetition factors for UEs with good coverage, thus minimizing unnecessary latency for devices that don't require extensive repetition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If PUCCH repetition factors are fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to channel conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability to channel conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to automatically adjust its PUCCH repetition behavior based on received PDCCH configurations. The UE monitors DCI formats and autonomously configures its PUCCH transmissions according to the indicated repetition factors, eliminating the need for complex higher-layer configuration procedures while maintaining high adaptability to varying channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4315691B1Techniques for pucch repetition based on pdcch repetition
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4315691B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4315691B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4315691B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects described herein relate to repetitions of uplink transmissions. In an example, a network entity may transmit, to a user equipment (UE), an indication of repetitive scheduling of a downlink control channel, wherein the indication triggers a correspondence between the repetitive scheduling of the downlink control channel and one or more repetition factors for an uplink control channel, each of the one or more repetition factors corresponding to a repetition count for uplink control messages on the uplink control channel; and receive, from the UE on the uplink control channel, repetitions of an uplink control message according to a first repetition factor of the one or more repetition factors for the uplink control channel.