PUCCH Resource Allocation for 5G Uplink Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of new radio (NR) and 5G technologies, face challenges in efficiently managing resource allocation for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) to meet diverse quality of service requirements across different services such as eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC, which demand varying latency and reliability levels.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of new resource allocation schemes for PUCCH that account for changes from LTE standards to NR standards, allowing for semi-static or dynamic allocation based on the type of service, incorporating buffer status reports in PUCCH, and differing payload sizes and interpretations for eMBB and URLLC UEs, enabling reduced turnaround time and optimized resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If semi-static resource allocation is used for PUCCH, then resource utilization is optimized and latency is reduced for URLLC services, but flexibility to accommodate varying service requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility for varying service requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation for PUCCH where resources are allocated based on real-time service requirements and buffer status reports. The system transitions from static LTE-style allocation to dynamic NR-style allocation, allowing resources to be adjusted according to traffic conditions and service priority, thereby achieving both high efficiency for URLLC and adaptability for eMBB services

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including payload size, reporting periodicity, and resource allocation timing based on service type. For URLLC, it uses reduced payload sizes and aperiodic reporting with shorter turnaround times, while for eMBB it uses larger payloads and periodic reporting, thereby resolving the contradiction between efficiency and flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic resource allocation is used for PUCCH, then flexibility to meet diverse QoS requirements is improved, but system complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for diverse QoS requirementsVSAvoidresource allocation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments resource allocation into service-specific configurations, with separate parameter sets for URLLC and eMBB services. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by handling different service types independently while maintaining overall flexibility through service-specific optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses buffer status reports (BSR) transmitted by UEs to automatically trigger PUCCH resource allocation decisions. This self-service mechanism reduces network-side complexity by allowing UEs to indicate their own resource needs, thereby achieving flexibility without proportional increases in system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If reduced payload size is used for PUCCH transmission, then turnaround time is reduced for URLLC services, but information completeness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH turnaround timeVSAvoidcontrol information completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the most critical control information in reduced payload sizes for URLLC services. Instead of transmitting complete CQI reports, the system transmits essential acknowledgment and scheduling information, achieving fast turnaround while maintaining sufficient information for urgent communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different payload sizes and information contents based on service type and channel conditions. For URLLC, it uses minimal payload with essential information, while for eMBB it uses larger payloads with comprehensive CQI data, thereby optimizing turnaround time where needed without sacrificing information completeness where possible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3577834B1Resource allocation for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3577834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3577834B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3577834B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource allocation. In certain aspects, a method for use by a user equipment (UE) for transmitting one or more uplink control information (UCI) bits in PUCCH includes determining resources allocated for providing one or more UCI bits based at least on a type of service associated with the UE and sending, to a base station, a PUCCH with the one or more UCI bits using the allocated resources.