UE Acknowledgement Delay Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the use of a fixed delay for sending acknowledgments (ACKs) or negative acknowledgments (NACKs) after receiving downlink data can prevent user equipment (UE) from entering low power mode, leading to increased power expenditure and reduced throughput, especially for UEs with varying processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A UE selects a delay for sending ACKs/NACKs based on its processing capabilities and the transmission parameters of the downlink data, allowing it to enter low power mode more efficiently and optimize communication throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed delay is used for sending ACKs/NACKs, then the system ensures reliable communication timing, but the UE cannot enter low power mode, increasing power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed delay mechanism to a variable delay mechanism. The UE determines the acknowledgement delay based on its processing capabilities and transmission parameters, allowing the delay duration to dynamically adapt. This enables UEs with faster processing capabilities to send ACKs/NACKs sooner and enter low power mode, while UEs with slower capabilities maintain sufficient processing time, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of acknowledgement delay from a fixed value to a variable value determined by UE processing capabilities and transmission parameters. By allowing the delay parameter to change based on UE-specific characteristics, the system optimizes power consumption for each UE while maintaining communication reliability through proper timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed delay is used for sending ACKs/NACKs, then timing consistency is maintained, but throughput is reduced due to inability to enter low power mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming consistencyVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the acknowledgement delay variable rather than fixed. UEs with faster processing capabilities can select shorter delays and enter low power mode sooner, increasing throughput. The timing consistency is maintained through proper scheduling and coordination between base station and UE, allowing different delay values to coexist without disrupting system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the delay parameter from fixed to variable based on UE processing capabilities. This parameter change enables UEs to optimize their timing behavior individually, entering low power mode at appropriate moments to increase throughput while maintaining overall timing consistency through coordinated communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If a shorter acknowledgement delay is used, then power consumption is reduced and throughput increases, but processing time requirements are not met for all UEs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprocessing capability compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring the acknowledgement delay to each UE's specific processing capabilities. Instead of a uniform delay for all UEs, the system determines individual delay values based on each UE's processing speed and capabilities. This allows faster UEs to use shorter delays for power savings, while slower UEs receive longer delays to meet their processing requirements, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and processing capability compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the delay parameter from a fixed system-wide value to variable UE-specific values. By adapting the parameter to local UE capabilities, the system optimizes power consumption for capable UEs while ensuring that all UEs receive sufficient processing time, thus resolving the contradiction between power savings and processing capability compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3642984B1Physical shared channel transmission to acknowledgement delay optimization
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3642984B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3642984B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3642984B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive data in a downlink transmission from a base station. After the UE successfully processes the data, the UE may select a transmit time interval (TTI) in which to send an acknowledgement (ACK) of the data to the base station. In some examples, the UE may select the TTI based on a delay that is a function of the processing abilities of the UE. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may select the TTI based on a delay that is a function of the transmission parameters of the downlink transmission. After selecting the TTI, the UE may send the ACK to the base station in the selected TTI.