Shortened PUCCH Format for Concurrent HARQ-ACK and SR Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation wireless communication systems, such as 5G, face challenges in supporting diverse and conflicting performance dimensions and services, particularly in achieving low latency and high reliability for applications like URLLC, due to limitations in current transmission time intervals and control channel management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shortened transmission time interval (sTTI) and a new sequence-based physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) format without a demodulation reference signal, which allows for concurrent transmission of HARQ-ACK and SR bits with minimal control signaling overhead, using frequency hopping and cyclic shift arrangements to simplify UE implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional transmission time interval and control channel management are used, then system stability is maintained, but latency is increased and reliability is reduced for URLLC applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control channel transmission by introducing shortened TTI (sTTI) structures that divide the conventional transmission time interval into smaller units. This segmentation allows for faster acknowledgment and scheduling request handling, directly reducing latency while maintaining manageable complexity through structured resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control channel management by allowing flexible configuration of sTTI lengths and resource allocations based on service requirements. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to different latency requirements (e.g., URLLC vs. eMBB) without requiring complete redesign of the control channel management structure.
2Productivity
If control signaling overhead is reduced through sTTI and sequence-based PUCCH format, then latency is reduced and resource allocation is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the demodulation reference signal from the PUCCH format, creating a sequence-based PUCCH format that operates without this component. This extraction reduces control signaling overhead and improves resource allocation efficiency while the complexity increase is managed through standardized sequence generation procedures defined in the specification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters of the PUCCH format by transitioning from reference signal-based to sequence-based modulation. This parameter change reduces the number of signaling elements required while maintaining robustness through carefully designed sequence properties, balancing resource efficiency with implementation complexity.
3Reliability
If concurrent transmission of HARQ-ACK and SR bits is enabled, then latency is reduced and reliability is improved, but control signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges HARQ-ACK and SR transmissions into the same control channel resources by utilizing the sequence-based PUCCH format. This merging allows concurrent transmission of both signal types without requiring separate resource allocations, thereby improving reliability through simultaneous delivery while actually reducing overall control signaling overhead compared to separate transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence-based PUCCH format is designed to serve multiple functions concurrently - it can transmit HARQ-ACK bits, SR bits, or both simultaneously using the same physical resources. This multi-functionality reduces control signaling overhead by eliminating the need for dedicated resources for each function while maintaining high reliability through unified transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
Technology for a user equipment (UE) operable for transmission of a shortened physical uplink control channel (sPUCCH) is disclosed. The UE can map symbols to physical resource blocks (PRBs) for a first subslot and a last subslot of a subframe for the sPUCCH. The UE can encode control information for transmission to a next generation node B (gNB) in selected PRBs.