Combining UCI for Multi-TRP Downlink Assignments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cellular networks face challenges in efficiently managing multiple downlink assignments from multiple transmit/receive points (TRPs) to user equipment (UE), leading to inefficiencies in uplink signaling and increased hardware complexity.

Innovation Solution

The method involves combining uplink control information (UCI) for multiple downlink assignments based on specific assignment properties, such as PDCCH identity or beam information, and transmitting this combined UCI on physical uplink control channels (PUCCH) or physical uplink shared channels (PUSCH), reducing the number of uplink transmissions and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate uplink control information is transmitted for each downlink assignment from multiple TRPs, then each TRP can maintain independent control channels, but uplink signaling overhead and UE hardware complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-TRP support capabilityVSAvoidUE hardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines uplink control information for multiple downlink assignments from different TRPs into a single uplink transmission. Instead of maintaining separate control channels for each TRP, the UE aggregates HARQ-ACK feedback, scheduling requests, and channel state information into one combined uplink control message, thereby reducing hardware complexity while preserving multi-TRP functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal uplink control channel structure that can handle control information from multiple TRPs simultaneously. The combined uplink control information framework serves multiple purposes: it supports HARQ-ACK feedback for multiple assignments, enables scheduling requests, and provides channel state information reporting, all through a single unified mechanism that works across different TRP configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate uplink control information is transmitted for each downlink assignment, then each assignment can be acknowledged independently, but the number of uplink transmissions and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownlink assignment acknowledgment reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple uplink control transmissions into a single combined transmission that carries acknowledgments for multiple downlink assignments. By aggregating HARQ-ACK feedback, scheduling requests, and channel state information into one uplink message, the system maintains reliable acknowledgment of each downlink assignment while reducing the total number of uplink transmissions and associated power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous and reliable acknowledgment of downlink assignments by maintaining a structured framework where each assignment's control information is systematically included in the combined uplink transmission. The continuous monitoring and feedback mechanism ensures that no assignment is missed while optimizing power usage through consolidated transmissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate uplink control channels are used for multiple TRPs, then each TRP can be managed independently, but signaling overhead and network resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent TRP management capabilityVSAvoiduplink signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines control information from multiple independently managed TRPs into a single uplink signaling message. The framework maintains the ability to identify and process control information from different TRPs while transmitting all necessary feedback, scheduling requests, and channel state information through one consolidated uplink channel, thereby reducing signaling overhead without sacrificing independent TRP management capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the combined uplink control information into distinct components that can be individually processed and identified by the network. Each TRP's control information is marked and organized within the unified uplink message, allowing the network to separately manage and process feedback from different TRPs while transmitting through a single channel, thus reducing overall signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11800522B2System and method for reporting in respect of multiple downlink assignments from multiple transmit receive points

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods of transmitting and receiving combined uplink control information (UCI) in respect of downlink assignments are provided. The UE is configured to combine certain UCI based on a property of downlink assignment, such as PDCCH ID, beam information, CORESET. The UE may also be configured to determine which UCI having the same value of the property of downlink assignment to combine. This can be based on a value-specific monitoring window or a monitoring window that is common to multiple values of the assignment property.