Terminal Device HARQ-ACK Feedback Timing Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE systems face inefficiencies in transmitting uplink control information, particularly in reducing latency and processing time for HARQ-ACK feedback, which affects the overall performance of cellular communication networks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where terminal apparatuses transmit HARQ-ACK feedback using PUCCH resources in a primary cell, with specific timing and formatting strategies based on scheduling requests and serving cell configurations, allowing for efficient transmission and reception of uplink control information across multiple serving cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If HARQ-ACK feedback is transmitted using conventional LTE timing and resources, then system compatibility is maintained, but latency and processing time are excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the timing parameters for HARQ-ACK feedback transmission by introducing new timing relationships (e.g., k values) that allow feedback to be transmitted earlier than conventional LTE timing. This parameter change reduces latency while maintaining system compatibility through careful selection of timing values that work within existing frame structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic timing adjustment mechanisms where the HARQ-ACK timing can be flexibly configured based on scheduling requests and serving cell conditions. This allows the system to adapt timing dynamically rather than using fixed conventional timing, reducing processing time while managing complexity through standardized dynamic adjustment rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If HARQ-ACK feedback is transmitted across multiple serving cells, then resource utilization is improved, but transmission timing coordination becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidtiming coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ-ACK feedback transmission by associating it with specific serving cells and their respective timing relationships. Each serving cell can have its own timing configuration, allowing independent optimization while maintaining overall coordination. This segmentation enables better resource utilization across cells without requiring complex centralized timing coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal timing mechanism that works across multiple serving cells by defining common timing relationships and resource allocation rules that apply universally. This multi-functionality allows the same timing framework to serve multiple cells simultaneously, improving resource utilization while avoiding the complexity of cell-specific custom timing schemes.

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

3Speed

If HARQ-ACK timing is optimized for reduced latency, then processing speed is improved, but reliability of feedback transmission may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidfeedback transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and allocating HARQ-ACK resources in advance based on scheduling requests. This allows the system to set up timing and resources before actual data transmission, enabling faster processing while ensuring reliable transmission paths are pre-established. The preliminary resource allocation reduces both latency and reliability risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3726899B1Terminal device, base station device, and communication method
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 SHARP KK
  • EP3726899B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3726899B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3726899B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal apparatus is configured to: receive a transport block in a primary cell in a subframe i; in a case that HARQ-ACK and a positive scheduling request are transmitted, select a third transmission method in a case that a subframe j in a secondary cell does not correspond to any of first prescribed subframes, and select a fourth transmission method in a case that the subframe j corresponds to any of the first prescribed subframes; and transmit the HARQ-ACK in a PUCCH resource for a scheduling request, wherein the subframe j is given based on at least (I) whether or not a first parameter for the primary cell is configured, (II) whether or not a first parameter for the secondary cell is configured, and (III) a search space in which a PDCCH for scheduling the transport block is transmitted.