Transport Block Feedback Timing for Repetition-Aligned Wireless Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

The imbalance between the transmission repetition number for a TB and its corresponding feedback leads to resource wastage, and there is a need for efficient transmission timing of feedbacks corresponding to multiple transport blocks in wireless communication systems.

Innovation Solution

Determine a transmission timing for feedbacks based on the completed transmission timing of a transport block bundle (TBB) and timing offsets, feedback order, and transmission repetition number to optimize resource utilization and reduce delay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transmission repetition number for a transport block is increased to ensure reliable delivery, then the reliability of TB transmission is improved, but the resource utilization deteriorates due to imbalance with feedback transmission timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of TB transmissionVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the feedback transmission timing adaptable rather than fixed. The network device dynamically adjusts the timing offset between TB transmission and feedback transmission based on actual system conditions, allowing the system to optimize resource utilization while maintaining reliability. This is achieved through configurable timing offsets that can be adjusted according to different transmission scenarios and channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter (timing offset) to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the timing offset between TB transmission and feedback transmission, the system can balance resource allocation. The timing offset can be configured through RRC signaling or dynamically indicated via DCI, allowing flexible parameter adjustment to match different transmission requirements and avoid resource waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the transmission timing for feedback is optimized to reduce delay, then the speed of feedback transmission is improved, but the resource utilization may deteriorate due to misalignment with TB transmission repetition pattern

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of feedback transmissionVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic timing adjustment to simultaneously achieve fast feedback transmission and high resource utilization. The network device can flexibly configure the timing offset based on the TB transmission pattern, ensuring that feedback is transmitted as soon as possible while aligning with the TB repetition structure. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both speed and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the timing offset through RRC signaling or pre-indicating it via DCI before actual feedback transmission. This allows the UE to prepare the feedback transmission timing in advance, reducing processing delay while ensuring proper alignment with TB transmission patterns for efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple transport blocks are scheduled with single DCI to improve scheduling efficiency, then the productivity of resource allocation is improved, but the complexity of feedback transmission timing determination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of feedback timing determination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the feedback timing determination for multiple TBs into a unified process. When a single DCI schedules multiple TBs, the same timing offset applies to all feedback transmissions corresponding to these TBs. This merging approach maintains high scheduling efficiency while simplifying feedback timing determination, as the UE only needs to determine one timing offset rather than separate timings for each TB.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The timing offset mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls feedback timing for all TBs scheduled by a single DCI, aligns feedback transmission with TB repetition patterns, and can be adapted to different feedback transmission scenarios. This universal mechanism reduces complexity by providing a single solution that handles multiple TBs and various transmission conditions.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3868163B1Method and apparatus for transmission of feedbacks corresponding to transport blocks
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD
  • EP3868163B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3868163B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3868163B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~2B

AI summary

Method and apparatus for transmission of feedbacks corresponding to TBs are disclosed. One method includes determining a transmission timing for a feedback corresponding to a transport block bundle (TBB) of a first number of TBBs, according to at least one of a first transmission timing, which is based on a completed transmission timing of the TBB and a timing offset, a second transmission timing, which is based on a transmission timing for a feedback corresponding to a previous TBB of the TBB, and a third transmission timing, which is based on at least one of a completed transmission timing of a last TBB of the first number of TBBs, the timing offset, a completed transmission timing of the first number of TBBs, a feedback order for the first number of TBBs, and a transmission repetition number for a feedback; wherein, the TBB includes a second number of TBs, which is a positive integer; and transmitting the feedback corresponding to the TBB of the first number of TBBs according to the determined transmission timing.