UCI-Only PUSCH Scheduling via DCI Parameter Combinations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack a method for a terminal device to determine whether an uplink shared channel is used to send only uplink control information (UCI) or both data and UCI, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and understanding between terminal devices and network devices.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves modifying the downlink control information (DCI) to include indication information that allows terminal devices to determine, based on existing signaling modes, whether the uplink shared channel is scheduled for UCI-only transmission by using explicit or implicit indication methods, such as adding extra bits or utilizing conflicting parameter combinations, without increasing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the terminal device uses existing DCI formats without modification to schedule uplink shared channel, then the signaling overhead is kept low, but the terminal device cannot determine whether to send only UCI or both data and UCI
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interpretation of existing DCI parameters to indicate UCI-only transmission. Specifically, it uses a combination of NDI=1, RV=1 or 2, and MCS index indicating highest modulation order as an implicit indication that the scheduled PUSCH is for UCI-only transmission. This resolves the contradiction by utilizing parameter value combinations that are otherwise unused or rare in normal data transmission scenarios.
2Productivity
If the terminal device sends only UCI through PUSCH, then the resource allocation efficiency is improved, but the terminal device lacks the capability to determine when to send UCI-only versus data and UCI together
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the terminal device to autonomously determine the transmission mode (UCI-only or data+UCI) based on the received DCI parameters. The terminal device decodes the implicit indication from the DCI parameter combination and automatically configures its transmission accordingly, without requiring additional control signaling or manual configuration.
3Measurement precision
If additional indication bits are added to DCI to explicitly indicate UCI-only transmission, then the determination accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the UCI-only indication function from dedicated indication bits and embeds it within the existing DCI parameter structure. By using specific combinations of NDI, RV, and MCS index values that are otherwise unused or rare in normal operation, the system conveys the UCI-only indication without adding any extra bits to the DCI format, thus maintaining signaling efficiency while achieving accurate indication.
4Reliability
If the terminal device and network device have inconsistent understanding of PUSCH usage, then the communication reliability deteriorates, but no explicit confirmation mechanism is currently available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network device monitors the PUSCH transmission and can detect whether the terminal correctly interpreted the UCI-only indication. If the terminal mistakenly transmits data along with UCI when UCI-only was indicated, the network device can detect this through the transmission pattern and send appropriate retransmission or correction signals, ensuring eventual consistency between transmitter and receiver understanding.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses an uplink control information sending, an uplink control information receiving method, and an apparatus, and belongs to the field of communications technology. In the method, a terminal device may receive first DCI from a network device; determine, based on the received first DCI, that an uplink shared channel scheduled by using the first DCI is used to send only UCI; and send first UCI to the network device through the uplink shared channel scheduled by using the first DCI. In other words, the network device indicates to the terminal device by using DCI, so that the terminal device can determine, based on an indication of the network device, whether the uplink shared channel scheduled by using the DCI is used to send only the UCI. This provides a manner of determining that the uplink shared channel scheduled by the network device is used to send only the uplink control information, and improves performance of interaction between the network device and the terminal device.