PUCCH Repetition Start Symbol Configuration for NTN Uplink Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In certain wireless communication environments, such as Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), the existing PUCCH formats defined in the initial PUCCH resource set do not satisfy the target SNR, necessitating enhancement through repetition transmission, but existing methods fail to properly configure the starting symbol for effective PUCCH transmission.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves configuring a starting OFDM symbol for each PUCCH format and implementing repetition transmission in the initial PUCCH resource set, with methods including slot-level and symbol-level repetitions, and combinations thereof, to ensure effective PUCCH transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PUCCH formats defined in the initial PUCCH resource set are used in NTN environment, then the existing system structure is maintained, but the target SNR is not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSNR performanceVSAvoidadaptability to NTN environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible configuration of PUCCH transmission parameters including repetition counts, time domain resource allocation, and frequency domain resource allocation. This allows the system to adapt dynamically to NTN channel conditions while maintaining the existing PUCCH format structure, thereby improving SNR performance without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If repetition transmission is applied to enhance PUCCH reliability, then SNR performance is improved, but the complexity of transmission configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePUCCH transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PUCCH transmission into multiple repetitions with configurable parameters. Each repetition can be independently configured in terms of time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and redundancy versions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve improved reliability through repetition while managing complexity by providing structured configuration options rather than unmanaged redundancy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by introducing configurable repetition counts, time domain resource allocations, frequency domain resource allocations, and redundancy version parameters. These parameter changes enable the system to adapt the repetition transmission to specific channel conditions and service requirements, improving reliability while allowing the network to control the level of complexity through parameter configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple PUCCH repetitions are transmitted with different starting symbols, then resource utilization is improved, but the complexity of determining starting symbols increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidstarting symbol configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the starting symbols for multiple PUCCH repetitions through higher layer signaling (RRC configuration). The network provides the UE with a list of candidate starting symbols in advance, and the UE selects from these pre-defined options. This eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations of starting symbols, improving resource utilization while reducing the complexity of starting symbol determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4664813A1Device and method for configuring starting symbol of pucch repeated transmission in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4664813A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4664813A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4664813A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method including transmitting, to a base station, a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) of multiple PUCCHs from an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol S1 configured in a slot; performing a transmission of one or more PUCCHs subsequent to the first PUCCH of the multiple PUCCHs from a next OFDM symbol of a last OFDM symbol of a previous PUCCH; and performing a transmission from an OFDM symbol S2 configured for an X-th PUCCH among the multiple PUCCHs.