Slot-Long S-TTI HARQ-ACK Timing Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face limitations in communication flexibility and efficiency, particularly in reducing latency and improving HARQ-ACK feedback timing, especially in TDD and FDD networks with reduced transmission time intervals.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of new DL association sets for each UL/DL configuration, including slot-based structures, to optimize PDSCH HARQ-ACK timing, allowing for earlier feedback and reduced latency by reusing existing timing or defining optimized sets for TDD and FDD networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

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

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic TTI length adjustment, allowing the system to switch between short TTI (sTTI) and long TTI modes based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. This dynamic adaptation enables flexible communication while maintaining system stability through standardized procedures for mode switching and timing adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key communication parameters including TTI length, HARQ-ACK timing offset, and association set configurations. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves improved communication flexibility and efficiency while maintaining backward compatibility through standardized parameter sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If TTI length is reduced to reduce latency, then communication speed improves, but HARQ-ACK timing coordination becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidHARQ-ACK timing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ-ACK timing coordination into standardized association sets (K1 values) that map sTTI indices to specific uplink subframes. This segmentation simplifies the timing coordination complexity by providing pre-defined timing relationships rather than requiring dynamic calculation for each transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes pre-configured association sets that define the timing relationship between downlink sTTI and uplink HARQ-ACK feedback in advance. These pre-defined timing offsets allow the system to reduce latency without increasing runtime coordination complexity, as the timing relationships are determined during configuration rather than during active transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If new DL association sets are implemented for optimized timing, then HARQ-ACK feedback timing is improved, but system compatibility with existing structures may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ-ACK feedback efficiencyVSAvoidbackward compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the association sets and timing mechanisms to be universally applicable across both legacy and sTTI configurations. The same standardized procedures and parameter structures are used whether operating in traditional TTI mode or sTTI mode, ensuring backward compatibility while enabling improved HARQ-ACK feedback efficiency through optimized timing relationships.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3408959B1Systems and methods for determining HARQ-ACK transmission timing for shortened tti
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 SHARP KK
  • EP3408959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3408959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3408959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is described. The UE includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions stored in the memory are executable to configure a slot-long shortened transmission time interval (S-TTI) in a serving cell, the slot-long S-TTI being used for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception in the serving cell. The instructions are also executable to determine PDSCH Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) transmission timing for the serving cell, the PDSCH HARQ-ACK transmission timing being determined based on a downlink (DL) association set pre-defined for the slot-long S-TTI. The instructions are further executable to send PDSCH HARQ-ACK information using the slot-long S-TTI, based on the PDSCH HARQ-ACK transmission timing.