PUCCH Resource Allocation via Timing Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PUCCH resource allocation in hybrid beamforming architectures for 5G wireless networks is limited by the need for dedicated beam resources and fixed HARQ-ACK timing, leading to bottlenecks in scalability and flexibility, particularly in balancing overhead and latency in high-frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A flexible xPUCCH resource allocation scheme that dynamically adjusts subframe allocation and resource allocation within a subframe, using timing indicator bits in DL grants to optimize xPUCCH scheduling, allowing for scalable resource size, multi-user MIMO pairing, and adjustable latency, while minimizing explicit resource allocation signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated beam resources are allocated for PUCCH in hybrid beamforming architectures, then reliability of control information transmission is improved, but device complexity and resource overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PUCCH resource index is derived self-service from the PDCCH resource index used for downlink scheduling, eliminating the need for separate dedicated beam resource allocation. The UE autonomously determines the PUCCH resources based on the received downlink assignment, reducing network signaling overhead and device complexity while maintaining reliable control information transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The same resource indexing mechanism serves multiple functions: it identifies both the downlink PDCCH resources and the uplink PUCCH resources. This universal indexing approach allows a single resource allocation process to handle both downlink scheduling and uplink acknowledgment resources, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed HARQ-ACK timing is used in PUCCH allocation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different service requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The HARQ-ACK timing becomes dynamic through the use of a timing indicator field in the downlink grant, which allows the network to flexibly adjust the k value (timing offset) based on different service requirements. This dynamic timing mechanism enables adaptation to varying latency and throughput needs while maintaining manageable device complexity through standardized processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If explicit resource allocation signaling is used for xPUCCH, then resource allocation precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to additional signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The explicit resource allocation signaling is extracted and replaced by an implicit derivation mechanism. Instead of separately signaling PUCCH resource indices, the system extracts the resource allocation information from the already-necessary PDCCH resource indexing, eliminating redundant signaling while maintaining precise resource allocation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If scalable resource size is implemented for xPUCCH, then adaptability to different user scenarios is improved, but device complexity increases due to flexible resource management
Solution Approach 1:
The resource size and allocation are made scalable through parameter-based control, where the resource index and timing parameters can be adjusted based on the number of users and service requirements. This parameter-driven approach enables flexible resource management while keeping device complexity manageable through standardized parameter handling and derivation procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a)~2c)
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In a first subframe (210-2-210-5), data is sent by a network node in a DL shared channel (240) and a timing indicator (570) is sent in a PDCCH (220) to UE, the timing indicator (570) indicating an offset relative to the first subframe (210-2-210-5) the UE should use in order to determine a second subframe (210-7) to use to send, in a PUCCH (230), acknowledgement information for the data received in the DL shared channel (240) of the first subframe (210-2-210-5). The acknowledgement information is received by the network node from the UE in the PUCCH (230) of the second subframe (210-7). The UE receives the data and timing indicator (570) and determines the second subframe (210-7) using at least the timing indicator (570). The UE transmits the acknowledgement information in the PUCCH (230) of the second subframe (210-7). Apparatus, computer programs and products, and methods are disclosed.