Receiver-Specific Transmission Length for Wireless ACK/NACK Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies due to long processing times for acknowledgement (ACK) and negative acknowledgement (NACK) signals, leading to substantial system performance opportunities being wasted as UEs and network nodes await processing resolution, resulting in underutilization of communication resources.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of novel symbol structures and control signaling techniques allows for intermediate uplink or downlink symbols within a slot, enabling continued communication and resource utilization during ACK/NACK processing by indicating uplink opportunities and adjusting downlink signal lengths, thereby maximizing communication payload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the UE transmits ACK/NACK signal in the same slot as downlink signal reception, then latency is reduced, but processing time requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the frame structure by allowing flexible slot configurations where downlink and uplink transmissions can coexist in the same slot. This is achieved by dividing the slot into multiple parts with different directions, enabling ACK/NACK feedback to be transmitted within the same slot as the downlink data reception, thereby reducing latency without requiring extended processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic slot configuration where the network can adaptively adjust the slot structure based on UE processing capabilities and traffic conditions. The slot can be dynamically configured to include both downlink and uplink portions, with the uplink portion used for ACK/NACK transmission. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize between latency reduction and processing time requirements on a per-slot basis.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a conservative gap of multiple OFDM symbols is created for ACK/NACK transmission, then processing time is sufficient, but system performance and resource utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates idle gaps in the frame structure by continuously utilizing both downlink and uplink resources within the same slot. Instead of creating conservative gaps for ACK/NACK transmission, the system configures the slot to include both downlink data transmission and uplink ACK/NACK feedback in a continuous manner, ensuring that resources are productively used throughout the entire slot duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges downlink and uplink transmissions within the same slot by creating a combined slot structure. The slot is divided into downlink portions for data transmission and uplink portions for ACK/NACK feedback, allowing both directions to coexist and be utilized simultaneously within the same time resource, thereby eliminating wasted gaps and improving overall system productivity.
3Reliability
If the medium is left unused during ACK/NACK processing, then processing accuracy is ensured, but resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the slot into multiple functional portions: downlink data transmission portions and uplink ACK/NACK feedback portions. By segmenting the slot in this manner, the system can ensure that the UE has sufficient time to process downlink data and generate accurate ACK/NACK feedback while simultaneously utilizing the uplink portions for feedback transmission and other uplink activities, thereby maintaining processing accuracy while improving resource utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for selecting and utilizing one or more novel symbol structures, control signaling, and scheduling for wireless signal transmission/reception are presented. An example method is presented that includes determining (302), based on control information corresponding to a slot, that a user equipment (UE) (102A) or another UE (102B) in communication with a network node (106) is to transmit acknowledgement (ACK) or negative acknowledgement (NACK) feedback in the slot for a downlink signal received by the UE (102A) or the other UE (102B) in the slot. In addition, the example method includes transmitting (304) an intermediate uplink signal to the network node (106) and/or receiving an intermediate downlink signal from the network node (106) after the downlink signal is fully received and before transmission of the ACK or NACK feedback begins. Example apparatuses, such as UEs and network nodes, and computer programs/code are also presented.