UE Capability Signaling for HARQ Processing Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately transmitting and receiving signals while maintaining battery life, especially with the increasing complexity and functionality of user equipment (UE) devices, which strains battery power and requires improved power management to support advanced communication standards like 5G NR.

Innovation Solution

The method involves user equipment (UE) devices transmitting capability information to base stations to determine the maximum transport block size (TBS) and supportable parallel hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes, allowing for optimized HARQ procedures that balance processing power and buffer size to enhance communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UE devices support advanced communication standards with increased functionality, then communication capability and coverage are improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting HARQ process parameters (number of parallel processes, transport block size) based on UE capability indicators. The base station receives capability information from the UE and configures appropriate HARQ parameters, changing system parameters to match device capabilities and optimize power consumption while maintaining communication quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If UE devices process signals with higher accuracy, then transmit and receive abilities are improved, but processing power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal accuracyVSAvoidprocessing power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by configuring the number of parallel HARQ processes according to UE capability. Instead of always using maximum processing resources, the system adjusts the number of parallel processes to match actual UE capabilities, reducing unnecessary processing power consumption while maintaining adequate signal accuracy for the specific device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the number of parallel HARQ processes is increased, then communication efficiency is improved, but processing complexity and buffer requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the number of parallel HARQ processes configurable and adaptable based on UE capability indicators. The base station receives capability information and dynamically adjusts the HARQ configuration, allowing the system to optimize between communication efficiency and processing complexity depending on the specific UE capabilities rather than using a fixed configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3574601B1User equipment provision of enhanced capability information for HARQ processing
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 APPLE INC
  • EP3574601B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3574601B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3574601B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This disclosure relates to indicating capabilities of a user equipment to a base station while performing cellular communication. A user equipment (UE) may transmit capability information to a base station. The capability information may comprise a maximum transport block size (TBS) per transmission time interval (TTI) and an associated processing delay of the UE for a reference subcarrier spacing. Alternatively, the capability information may comprise a maximum throughput and associated processing delay of the UE. The base station may determine at least one of a maximum TBS per TTI or a number of parallel hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes to utilize in subsequent communications with the UE based on the capability information and a subcarrier spacing to be used for the subsequent communications.