Radio Node Selecting Relative Timing for HARQ Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio communication networks, such as those with LTE and NR architectures, have limited flexibility in the timing of responses to transmissions, with predetermined timing relations for ACK/NACK and HARQ feedback, which can restrict network performance and interoperability.

Innovation Solution

A node in a radio communication network is designed to select a relative timing for sending a second transmission from a plurality of predetermined timing choices, allowing for flexible response times and mechanisms, independent of actual time values, to enhance reaction speed and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If predetermined timing relations are used for ACK/NACK and HARQ feedback (as in LTE and NR architectures), then network interoperability and standardization are improved, but network flexibility and adaptability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork interoperabilityVSAvoidnetwork flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the response timing flexible rather than fixed. The node can dynamically select from multiple predetermined relative timing choices (e.g., different k values for PUCCH/PUSCH timing) depending on communication conditions, while still operating within standardized frameworks. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to be both standardized (using predetermined choices) and flexible (selecting among them dynamically).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter from a fixed value to a selectable set of values. By defining multiple predetermined relative timing choices and allowing selection based on communication conditions, the system maintains standardization through predetermined options while achieving flexibility through parameter variation. This directly addresses the contradiction between reliability (standardization) and adaptability (flexibility).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed response timing is used for HARQ feedback transmissions, then system complexity is reduced and standardization is improved, but reaction speed and performance are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidreaction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts response timing based on communication conditions while maintaining a predetermined set of options. This allows faster reaction speeds when conditions permit (by selecting shorter timing values) without significantly increasing system complexity, as the choices are still drawn from predetermined standardized options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By allowing the timing parameter to vary among predetermined choices rather than being fixed, the system can optimize reaction speed for different scenarios. The complexity increase is minimal since the variations are constrained to standardized predetermined options, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If predetermined timing choices are provided for selecting response transmission time, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timing flexibilityVSAvoidselection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the timing selection into discrete predetermined choices (e.g., different k values) rather than requiring continuous optimization. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the selection mechanism while maintaining adaptability, as the node only needs to select from aĉœ‰é™ set of standardized options rather than compute optimal timing continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The use of predetermined parameter choices allows the system to achieve adaptability through simple parameter selection rather than complex real-time optimization. The device complexity is managed by constraining the parameter space to predetermined standardized values, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4149033A1Node for a radio communication network and operating method
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4149033A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4149033A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4149033A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A node for a radio communication network is described, said node being arranged for a communication mechanism comprising the reception of a first transmission and the subsequent sending of a second transmission in response to said first transmission, wherein said node is furthermore arranged to perform a selecting process for selecting a relative timing for sending said second transmission from among a plurality of predetermined relative timing choices.