Transport Block Repetition Timing for Flexible NR URLLC Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently handling flexible TB repetitions for Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) in 3GPP Release-16 New Radio (NR), particularly in determining available symbols and Transport Block Size (TBS) for PUSCH/PDSCH repetitions, which affect latency and demodulation performance in TDD systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining available symbols and TBS for enhanced PUSCH/PDSCH repetitions by considering flexible slot configurations, frequency hopping, and dynamic indication of repetition durations, allowing for non-contiguous and contiguous transmission occasions based on DCI, and using various methods to ensure self-decodability and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flexible TB repetitions are implemented for URLLC in 3GPP Release-16 NR, then reliability and latency performance are improved, but complexity in determining available symbols and Transport Block Size (TBS) increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveURLLC reliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity in determining available symbols and TBS
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the number of repetitions, repetition duration, and available symbol allocation based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. The system changes parameters such as the transport block size (TBS), modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and time-frequency resource allocation to optimize URLLC performance while managing complexity through adaptive parameter selection rather than fixed complex determination procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-contiguous transmission occasions are supported, then flexibility in resource allocation is improved, but scheduling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in resource allocationVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transmission into multiple transmission occasions that can be non-contiguous in time and frequency. Each transmission occasion is independently scheduled and can be allocated separate resource blocks and symbols. This segmentation allows flexible resource allocation across different parts of the time-frequency grid while managing scheduling complexity through independent resource allocation for each segment rather than complex continuous allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic indication of the number of repetitions and their specific time-frequency locations through DCI formats. The scheduling can adaptively determine transmission occasions based on available resources, channel conditions, and traffic requirements, allowing the system to transition between contiguous and non-contiguous allocations dynamically rather than using fixed patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If different repetition durations are allowed, then adaptability to various data packet sizes is improved, but demodulation performance may degrade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to data packet sizesVSAvoiddemodulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different repetition durations and resource allocations for different transmission occasions based on local channel conditions and traffic requirements. Each repetition can be independently configured with appropriate duration, bandwidth, and power levels optimized for its specific transmission context, rather than using uniform parameters for all repetitions. This enables adaptability to various packet sizes while maintaining demodulation performance through localized optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3949222B1Method and apparatus for determining a duration of a repetition of a transport block
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP3949222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3949222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3949222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

DCI can be received (610). The DCI can include scheduling information for a physical channel carrying a TB. The physical channel can include a plurality of repetitions of the TB. The physical channel can span at least one slot. Each of the plurality of repetitions can be within a slot of the at least one slot. At least one repetition of the plurality of the repetitions can have a different duration than a duration of at least one other repetition of the plurality of the repetitions. A repetition duration of each of the plurality of repetitions can be determined (620) based on a plurality of available symbols for the physical channel. The plurality of available symbols can be determined based on the DCI.