Terminal-Group HARQ Signaling for D2D Retransmission Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HARQ mechanisms in wireless cellular networks do not efficiently exploit UE grouping and D2D cooperation capabilities, leading to increased complexity and inefficiency in network communications.
Innovation Solution
A two-level terminal-group based HARQ signaling method is introduced, where UEs within a virtual multi-point node receive and decode data packets, with a timer-based retransmission mechanism and advanced ACK/NACK protocols to facilitate efficient retransmissions and reduce signaling overhead, leveraging network coding for improved throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current HARQ mechanisms are used without UE grouping, then the implementation is simpler, but the efficiency of exploiting D2D cooperation capabilities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the HARQ signaling process into two levels: (1) Group-level HARQ signaling between the base station and the ViMP node, and (2) Individual UE-level HARQ signaling within the ViMP node. This segmentation allows the system to exploit D2D cooperation capabilities while managing complexity through hierarchical organization of signaling processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The ViMP node acts as an intermediary between the base station and individual UEs in the group. It receives and manages data packets at the group level, coordinates decoding efforts among member UEs, and handles ACK/NACK feedback aggregation, thereby enabling efficient D2D cooperation without requiring direct complex signaling between the base station and each individual UE.
2Productivity
If UE cooperation is implemented for joint reception, then system throughput and coverage are improved, but the complexity of network communications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reception and decoding functions of multiple UEs into a unified ViMP node operation. Member UEs cooperate to jointly receive and decode data packets, combining their reception capabilities to improve throughput and coverage while presenting a single logical interface to the base station, thereby managing network communication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ViMP node structure provides multi-functionality by simultaneously enabling: (1) joint reception and decoding of data packets from multiple UEs, (2) group-level HARQ signaling with the base station, (3) individual UE-level HARQ feedback aggregation, and (4) timer-based retransmission coordination. This universal structure handles multiple communication tasks through a unified mechanism.
3Reliability
If timer-based retransmission mechanism is used, then the robustness of HARQ is enhanced, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ViMP node implements self-service timer management for retransmission coordination. Each ViMP node autonomously maintains and synchronizes its own timer based on parameters configured by the base station, enabling robust timer-based retransmission without requiring continuous base station intervention or additional signaling overhead for timer synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements efficient feedback mechanisms where the ViMP node aggregates ACK/NACK feedback from individual UEs and communicates with the base station at the group level. This feedback approach enhances HARQ robustness by ensuring reliable acknowledgment while reducing signaling overhead through feedback aggregation rather than individual UE-to-base-station signaling.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method embodiments are provided to support network communications with groups of UEs. The embodiments include a two-level group-based hybrid-automatic repeat request (HARQ) mechanism and acknowledgement (ACK)/negative ACK (NACK) feedback. An embodiment method includes receiving, at a UE within a virtual multi-point (ViMP) comprising UEs, a data packet for a target UE (TUE) that is broadcasted from a base station (BS) to the ViMP node, decode the data packet, and upon successfully decoding the data packet, broadcasting the data packet to the UEs within the ViMP node until a timer pre-established by the BS expires or an ACK message is received from the TUE or the ViMP node. In an embodiment, broadcasted data received in the ViMP node is re-broadcasted upon receiving a negative acknowledgment (NACK) message from the TUE, a beacon UE, or any of the UEs within the ViMP node.