Shortened PUCCH Format for HARQ-ACK and SRS Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication methods in 3GPP LTE require more efficient multiplexing of acknowledgement signals and sounding reference signals to enhance communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method and system that utilize a shortened Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) format by removing the last SC-FDMA symbol in the second slot of a subframe to accommodate both HARQ-ACK and SRS transmissions, with orthogonal cover codes and cyclic shifts being dynamically allocated to maintain orthogonality and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If HARQ-ACK and SRS are transmitted simultaneously using full PUCCH format, then communication reliability is maintained, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to resource conflicts and inability to maintain single-carrier characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The PUCCH format is segmented by removing the last SC-FDMA symbol in the second slot, creating a shortened format that separates HARQ-ACK transmission resources from SRS transmission resources, allowing both to coexist without conflict

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves from time-domain multiplexing to a hybrid approach by puncturing specific symbols within the time structure, creating a new dimension for resource allocation that accommodates both HARQ-ACK and SRS simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If PUCCH resources are allocated for HARQ-ACK transmission, then acknowledgement reliability is ensured, but SRS transmission capability deteriorates due to resource occupation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ-ACK transmission reliabilityVSAvoidSRS transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The last SC-FDMA symbol is extracted and removed from the PUCCH structure, creating a dedicated resource for SRS transmission while preserving the integrity of HARQ-ACK transmission in the remaining symbols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shortened PUCCH format creates a universal structure that can simultaneously support both HARQ-ACK transmission and SRS transmission, making the system more versatile without sacrificing reliability of either function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If SRS is transmitted on the same resources as HARQ-ACK, then resource utilization is improved, but single-carrier characteristics deteriorate affecting demodulation performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddemodulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the PUCCH structure are assigned different qualities/functions: the first part maintains full structure for HARQ-ACK reliability, while the last symbol is removed to accommodate SRS, creating local optimization that preserves overall system performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2594045B1Method and system for multiplexing acknowledgement signals and sounding reference signals
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2594045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2594045B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2594045B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A base station includes a transmit path circuitry that determines a PUCCH format 3 index and transmits an uplink grant to a subscriber station, the uplink grant including an indication of the PUCCH format 3 index. The base station also includes a receive path circuitry that receives a PUCCH format 3 signal in a subframe from the subscriber station. The receive path circuitry also receives a first demodulation reference signal for the PUCCH format 3 signal in the first slot of the subframe, where the first demodulation reference signal is determined based at least partly upon a first demodulation reference signal cyclic shift number. The receive path circuitry also receives a second demodulation reference signal for the PUCCH format 3 signal in the second slot of the subframe, where the second demodulation reference signal is determined based at least partly upon a second demodulation reference signal cyclic shift number.