PUCCH Occasion Selection for Delayed HARQ-ACK Codebooks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR systems, determining a valid PUCCH for delayed HARQ-ACK codebook is challenging when SPS periodicity is low, leading to imbalanced HARQ-ACK feedback and unreliable PUCCH transmission for ultra-reliable and low-latency communications due to collisions with downlink or flexible symbols.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a valid PUCCH occasion by selecting PUCCH resources from preconfigured sets based on condition settings, including using only uplink symbols, converting flexible symbols to uplink, and considering PUCCH format, size, and timing to ensure reliable transmission of delayed HARQ-ACK codebooks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the UE determines PUCCH resources based on the latest received DCI without considering delayed HARQ-ack codebook, then the PUCCH resource determination is simple and fast, but the HARQ-ack feedback may be missed or incorrectly transmitted due to resource collision

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH resource determination speedVSAvoidHARQ-ack feedback reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary determination of the delayed HARQ-ack codebook based on previously received DCIs before the current PUCCH transmission. This preliminary action allows the UE to identify overlapping PUCCH resources in advance and adjust the codebook determination accordingly, preventing HARQ-ack feedback loss while maintaining efficient resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the UE uses type-1 codebook determination method, then the codebook size is smaller and processing is simpler, but the method cannot handle delayed HARQ-ack scenarios properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecodebook determination complexityVSAvoidHARQ-ack feedback reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE dynamically determines the codebook type based on the actual transmission scenario. When delayed HARQ-ack is detected through DCI examination, the UE switches from static type-1 codebook determination to dynamic type-2 codebook determination. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain simplicity for normal operations while ensuring reliability for delayed HARQ-ack scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the network configures PUCCH resources without considering delayed HARQ-ack codebook, then the resource configuration is simpler and faster, but resource collisions occur leading to feedback loss

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH resource configuration easeVSAvoidHARQ-ack feedback reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE examines the DCI to determine whether delayed HARQ-ack codebook transmission is configured, and provides feedback information to the network about the overlapping PUCCH resources. This feedback mechanism enables the network to adjust resource allocation dynamically, preventing resource collisions while maintaining configuration simplicity through automated UE-initiated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4256874B1Method and device for determining pucch of delayed HARQ-ACK codebook
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 ZTE CORP
  • EP4256874B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4256874B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4256874B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods and devices for determining PUCCH of delayed HARQ-ACK codebook may include A wireless communication device determining, in response to an event, to delay sending of uplink control information (UCI), by sending the UCI in a valid physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) occasion determined according to at least one configuration, instead of sending the UCI in an indicated PUCCH occasion that is invalid and prior to the valid PUCCH. The wireless communication device determine may the valid PUCCH occasion from a plurality of candidate PUCCH occasions, according to the at least one configuration.