PUCCH Sub-Band Interference Reporting for Low-Latency Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, especially in industrial IoT settings with tight latency requirements, it is challenging for user equipment (UE) to report interference levels across multiple sub-bands due to increased latency in conventional interference measurement methods, which do not meet the stringent timing demands.

Innovation Solution

The use of Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) communication for UE to transmit feedback messages, including interference measurements, allows for rapid identification of sub-band interference levels, enabling the base station (BS) to adjust scheduling and retransmissions with reduced latency by employing CSI-RS and SRS communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional interference measurement methods are used, then interference levels can be reported, but latency increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidtiming reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE perform interference measurements in advance using CSI-RS signals before the actual data transmission. The interference measurement is conducted in a first time period prior to the second time period when data is transmitted, allowing the BS to have advance knowledge of interference conditions and make scheduling decisions proactively, thereby reducing overall latency while maintaining timing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having the UE report the measured interference level to the BS through PUCCH communication. The BS receives this feedback information and uses it to adjust downlink scheduling decisions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing interference conditions in real-time, ensuring reliable communication while minimizing latency through informed scheduling decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If interference measurements are performed across multiple sub-bands, then comprehensive interference information is obtained, but reporting latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement accuracyVSAvoidreporting latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the frequency spectrum into multiple sub-bands and performing interference measurements independently in each sub-band using CSI-RS signals. The UE measures interference levels in different sub-bands separately and reports them through PUCCH communication. This segmented approach allows comprehensive interference assessment across the entire bandwidth while maintaining manageable measurement and reporting complexity, achieving both precision and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4128630B1Sub-band interference level indication using physical uplink control channel communication
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4128630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4128630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4128630B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment may receive, from a base station (BS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) communication; and transmit, to the BS, a physical uplink control channel communication including feedback information that is a response to the CSI-RS communication and including an interference measurement. Numerous other aspects are provided.