Implicit UCI Beta Mapping from MCS for Resource-Efficient NR Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face inefficiencies in determining uplink control information (UCI) beta values, often requiring dedicated signaling that consumes communication resources and is wasteful due to similarities with modulation and coding scheme (MCS) determinations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves identifying beta values for UCI based on an MCS mapping, allowing UEs and base stations to determine the number of modulation symbols without explicit signaling, thereby conserving resources by leveraging the inherent correlation between channel conditions and beta value selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated signaling is used to transmit beta values, then the base station can precisely control the number of modulation symbols for UCI, but communication resources are consumed and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeta value control precisionVSAvoidcommunication resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the beta value indication with the MCS field in DCI format 0_1. Instead of using separate dedicated signaling for beta values, the MCS field is repurposed to carry both MCS information and beta value indication through a joint coding scheme. This combining approach eliminates the need for additional dedicated bits while maintaining precise control over UCI modulation parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The MCS field in DCI is given multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: indicating both the modulation and coding scheme for uplink data and simultaneously indicating the beta value for UCI modulation. This universal usage of the existing MCS field eliminates the need for separate dedicated signaling resources while preserving precise beta value control capability.

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

2Reliability

If dedicated bits are allocated for beta value signaling, then accurate UCI modulation control is achieved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUCI modulation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions (MCS indication and beta value indication) into a single unified signaling mechanism using the existing MCS field. This merging reduces the number of separate signaling elements that devices must process, thereby lowering implementation complexity while maintaining accurate UCI modulation control through the joint coding approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If implicit beta value determination based on MCS mapping is used, then signaling overhead is reduced, but flexibility in beta value selection may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidbeta value selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the interpretation parameters of the existing MCS field to enable it to represent both MCS levels and beta value indices. By redefining the mapping relationship between MCS field values and beta values, the system achieves flexible beta value selection without requiring additional signaling overhead. The base station can dynamically select from multiple beta value sets based on channel conditions and traffic requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3701654B1Techniques and apparatuses for implicit uplink control information beta value determination in new radio
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3701654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3701654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3701654B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may identify a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for an uplink communication of the UE; identify a set of beta values for uplink control information of the uplink communication according to a mapping between the set of beta values and the MCS, wherein the set of beta values is for determination of a number of resource elements or modulation symbols for the uplink control information; and transmit the uplink control information based at least in part on the set of beta values. Numerous other aspects are provided.