PUSCH Format for HARQ-ACK Transmission in LTE

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE systems are unable to transmit Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACKnowledgment (ACK) information over the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), limiting the coverage and reuse capacity for Machine Type Communications (MTC) User Equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method and wireless communication device that utilize a predefined PUSCH format for transmitting HARQ-ACK information, employing repetition coding, BPSK or QPSK modulation, and determining the frequency domain position of a single subcarrier through signaling, allowing HARQ-ACK transmission in the uplink subframe based on downlink information received in previous subframes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If HARQ-ACK transmission is not supported on PUSCH, then the system maintains simple uplink control structure, but the coverage and reuse capacity for MTC UE are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage and reuse capacityVSAvoiduplink control structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of PUSCH format to enable HARQ-ACK transmission. Specifically, it defines a first PUSCH format with single-subcarrier frequency domain occupation and repetition coding, differing from conventional multi-subcarrier PUSCH formats. This parameter change allows HARQ-ACK to be transmitted on PUSCH while maintaining compatibility with MTC UE capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the uplink control information transmission by introducing a dedicated PUSCH format for HARQ-ACK that is separate from data transmission formats. The HARQ-ACK information is transmitted independently using this specialized format with specific coding and modulation schemes, rather than being multiplexed with data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional PUSCH format is used for HARQ-ACK, then transmission flexibility is maintained, but reliable HARQ-ACK transmission cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ-ACK transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific aspects of the PUSCH format for HARQ-ACK transmission while maintaining other aspects for general compatibility. The first PUSCH format uses single-subcarrier occupation and repetition coding specifically for HARQ-ACK, while allowing other PUSCH formats to remain unchanged for data transmission, thus achieving reliable HARQ-ACK transmission without compromising overall system flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic selection mechanisms where the network can configure different PUSCH formats based on transmission requirements. The terminal can adaptively choose between different PUSCH formats (including the new first format and conventional formats) based on whether HARQ-ACK transmission is needed, maintaining flexibility while ensuring reliability when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3379753B1Uplink control information sending method and device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 ZTE CORP
  • EP3379753B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3379753B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3379753B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for the transmission of uplink control information, wherein this method comprises: receiving downlink information and using a predefined physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) format to transmit a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) corresponding to the downlink information. The implementation of the present invention solves the problem in prior art of not being able to transmit HARQ-ACK on the PUSCH through its ability to transmit HARQ-ACK on the PUSCH.