PUCCH Resource Allocation for ACK/NACK Codebook Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, particularly in LTE systems with carrier aggregation, the feedback information sending method results in low PUCCH resource utilization due to a large quantity of NACKs being filled when downlink data occupies only a small part of the configured carriers, leading to inefficient use of PUCCH resources.

Innovation Solution

The method determines the bit quantity of the ACK/NACK codebook and selects a corresponding PUCCH resource, optimizing the codebook generation and resource allocation based on the DAI accumulation and total quantity indications to reduce redundant information and improve resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE generates ACK/NACK codebooks according to all N downlink subframes of M carriers, then the feedback coverage is complete, but PUCCH resource utilization is low due to many filled NACKs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback coverageVSAvoidPUCCH resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary feedback information by identifying and reporting the actual number of downlink subframes that require feedback (through DAI fields), rather than including all N downlink subframes. This removes the redundant NACK fillings and transmits only the essential ACK/NACK bits corresponding to actual data transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of feedback codebook size dynamically based on the actual number of scheduled downlink subframes. By using DAI (Downlink Assignment Index) fields that indicate the actual count of subframes requiring feedback, the codebook size adapts to the real transmission load, reducing unnecessary NACKs while maintaining complete feedback coverage for all scheduled subframes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the UE fills NACK for unscheduled downlink subframes to maintain codebook structure, then the codebook format is standardized, but redundant information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecodebook structureVSAvoidredundant information
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the codebook structure dynamic rather than static. Instead of always using a fixed-size codebook covering all N downlink subframes, the codebook size varies based on the actual number of scheduled subframes indicated by DAI fields. This dynamic approach eliminates redundant NACK fillings while ensuring the codebook always includes all necessary feedback positions for scheduled transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If PUCCH resources are allocated for maximum codebook size, then all feedback scenarios are supported, but resource efficiency decreases when downlink data occupies small portion of carriers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback scenario supportVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the PUCCH resource selection is based on the actual feedback size determined by DAI fields. The system adapts the codebook size and corresponding PUCCH resources to match the real downlink scheduling load, supporting all possible feedback scenarios while efficiently utilizing resources by avoiding allocation for maximum size when actual data transmission is minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3327940B1Feedback information transmission method, user equipment, and base station
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3327940B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3327940B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3327940B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a feedback information sending method, user equipment, and a base station, to select, according to a bit quantity of an ACK/NACK codebook, a PUCCH resource corresponding to the bit quantity of the ACK/NACK codebook, so as to improve PUCCH resource utilization. The method in the embodiments of the present invention includes: receiving, by UE, scheduling information that is sent by a base station by using a downlink control channel, where the downlink control channel belongs to a preconfigured downlink subframe set; receiving downlink data that is on a downlink data channel and that is scheduled according to the scheduling information; determining an uplink subframe, where the uplink subframe is used to send feedback information corresponding to the downlink data, and the preconfigured downlink subframe set is a set of downlink subframes that are associated with the uplink subframe and that are of all carriers configured for the UE by the base station; determining a codebook of the feedback information; performing channel encoding on the feedback information according to the codebook of the feedback information; determining a PUCCH resource according to PUCCH resource indication information; and sending, on the PUCCH resource in the uplink subframe, encoded feedback information.