Simultaneous Synchronous Asynchronous HARQ for URLLC Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current HARQ designs in mobile communication systems, such as LTE Rel.8 and NR Rel.15, are limited in handling different service types with varying latency and reliability requirements, leading to increased scheduling burdens and delays, especially for delay-critical services like URLLC, and higher receiver complexity, which affects battery life and spectral efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple Hybrid ARQ entities that support both synchronous and asynchronous HARQ operations simultaneously, allowing for flexible retransmission protocols based on service types, with dedicated resources for URLLC feedback and asynchronous HARQ for delay non-critical services, and synchronous HARQ for delay-critical services, thereby reducing scheduling delays and improving spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single HARQ design is used for all service types, then device complexity is reduced, but latency and reliability requirements for different services cannot be met simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice type adaptabilityVSAvoidHARQ entity complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the HARQ functionality into separate HARQ entities - specifically a first HARQ entity for synchronous HARQ operations and a second HARQ entity for asynchronous HARQ operations. Each entity is independently configured to handle specific service types, allowing the system to meet diverse latency and reliability requirements without requiring a single complex unified HARQ design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If synchronous HARQ is used for delay-critical services, then latency is reduced, but scheduling flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretransmission latencyVSAvoidscheduling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic HARQ selection mechanism where the system can choose between synchronous and asynchronous HARQ operations based on service type requirements. For delay-critical services like URLLC, synchronous HARQ is selected to minimize latency, while for other services, asynchronous HARQ provides scheduling flexibility. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance for different service scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple HARQ entities are implemented, then service type adaptability is improved, but receiver complexity increases affecting battery life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice type adaptabilityVSAvoidreceiver energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different HARQ operation modes to different service types based on their specific requirements. Synchronous HARQ is applied locally to delay-critical services where latency is paramount, while asynchronous HARQ is applied to other services where scheduling flexibility is more important. This localized application of different HARQ qualities allows the system to meet service requirements without unnecessarily increasing complexity and energy consumption across all services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If asynchronous HARQ is used for delay non-critical services, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but retransmission delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidretransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240348374A1Low latency HARQ protocol for urllc services

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

In the field of mobile communication systems, techniques relating to checking or verifying if information sent by a transmitter has been correctly received at a receiver so as to initiate a retransmission in case of a non-successful transmission of the information are described. Embodiments relate to simultaneous synchronous and asynchronous HARQ, hybrid automatic repeat request, operations in a network entity of the wireless communication system, like a base station or a user equipment, UE. In particular, an approach for reliably handling retransmissions in a wireless communication system for data or information associated with different services types is described.