Sidelink Buffer Status Report HARQ Feedback Mode Distinction

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, the current methods for sidelink buffer status reporting (SL BSR) fail to distinguish between HARQ feedback modes, leading to inefficient use of HARQ feedback resources, as network nodes cannot determine whether the HARQ feedback mode is enabled or disabled for sidelink data, resulting in potential wastage of resources.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method and apparatus where User Equipment (UE) transmits a sidelink buffer status report (SL BSR) with separate fields for buffer sizes associated with HARQ feedback enabled and disabled, allowing network nodes to differentiate and manage HARQ feedback resources effectively, thereby optimizing resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single buffer size field is used in SL BSR, then the report format is simple, but the network node cannot distinguish between HARQ feedback enabled and disabled modes, leading to resource wastage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSL BSR format complexityVSAvoidHARQ feedback resource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer size information is segmented into separate fields: one field for buffer size when HARQ feedback is enabled, and another field for buffer size when HARQ feedback is disabled. This segmentation allows the network node to distinguish between different HARQ feedback modes and allocate resources appropriately, preventing resource wastage while maintaining clear report formatting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If separate buffer size fields for HARQ enabled and disabled modes are included, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but the SL BSR format becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidSL BSR format complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer size information is segmented into separate fields: one field for buffer size when HARQ feedback is enabled, and another field for buffer size when HARQ feedback is disabled. This segmentation allows the network node to distinguish between different HARQ feedback modes and allocate resources appropriately, preventing resource wastage while maintaining clear report formatting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11564126B2Method and apparatus for distinguishing transmission feedback mode in sidelink buffer status report in a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus are disclosed from the perspective of a UE (User Equipment) to handle a sidelink buffer status report (SL BSR). In one embodiment, the method includes the UE transmitting a SL BSR to a network node, wherein a format of the SL BSR includes at least one field of buffer size associated with HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) feedback enabled and one field of buffer size associated with HARQ feedback disabled. The method also includes the UE receiving a sidelink grant from the network node. The method further includes the UE selecting data from a logical channel for transmission according to a HARQ feedback mode of the logical channel and whether the sidelink grant is associated with a HARQ feedback resource or not.