Self-Contained Subframe Pattern for Flexible HARQ Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face limitations in flexibility and efficiency, particularly in determining frame structure and association timing for improved communication capacity, speed, and flexibility, especially in next-generation wireless systems like 5G.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a self-contained subframe pattern in radio frames, which includes a downlink part, a gap period, and an uplink part, allows for dynamic or semi-static allocation of subframes, enabling flexible HARQ-ACK feedback timing and uplink scheduling, supported by various DCI formats for implicit or explicit timing indications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional communication structure is used, then system stability is maintained, but communication flexibility and efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radio frame is segmented into self-contained subframes, each comprising a downlink part, gap period, and uplink part. This segmentation enables independent configuration and flexible allocation of each subframe, improving communication flexibility while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic or semi-static allocation of subframes, allowing the system to adaptively adjust frame structure according to traffic conditions and service requirements. This dynamic approach enables the system to optimize communication efficiency without requiring complete restructuring of the overall frame format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If immediate uplink feedback is implemented, then communication efficiency is improved, but timing coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidtiming coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gap period is pre-configured within each self-contained subframe, positioned between the downlink and uplink parts. This preliminary structuring of the time interval allows the system to prepare for immediate uplink feedback transmission without requiring complex real-time timing calculations, thereby improving efficiency while controlling coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each self-contained subframe is designed to be self-sufficient, containing all necessary components (downlink, gap, uplink) required for complete communication cycles including feedback. This self-contained structure enables autonomous operation of each subframe, reducing the need for complex inter-subframe timing coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3520272A1Systems and methods for determining frame structure and association timing
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 SHARP KK

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is described. The UE includes a processor. The UE also includes memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions stored in the memory are executable to determine a radio frame structure based on a self-contained subframe pattern. The instructions are also executable to receive a downlink data assignment and decode downlink data. The instructions are further executable to determine a hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) feedback timing of the downlink data. The instructions are additionally executable to transmit HARQ-ACK feedback of the downlink data based on the determined HARQ-ACK feedback timing. The instructions are also executable to receive uplink scheduling information. The instructions are further executable to determine an uplink scheduling timing for a scheduled uplink transmission. The instructions are additionally executable to transmit uplink data in a scheduled subframe.