UE HARQ-ACK Bit Determination Under Missed DCI Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inconsistency in understanding the number of HARQ-ACK feedback bits between a user terminal and a base station can cause errors and reduce frequency use efficiency and throughput, particularly in unlicensed frequency bands due to interference and missed detection of downlink control information.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal determines the number of HARQ-ACK feedback bits based on information related to the number of feedback bits and transmission timing of downlink control information, using triggering DCI to prevent inconsistencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UE determines HARQ-ACK feedback bits based on DCI detection, then the feedback mechanism is flexible and adaptive, but inconsistency in understanding the number of feedback bits occurs between UE and base station

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHARQ-ACK feedback flexibilityVSAvoidUnderstanding consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the base station sends DCI containing the actual number of HARQ-ACK feedback bits to the UE. This feedback loop ensures that the UE can adjust its feedback bit count to match the base station's expectation, resolving the inconsistency problem while maintaining flexibility in HARQ-ACK feedback mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI message acts as an intermediary carrier that conveys the number of HARQ-ACK feedback bits from the base station to the UE. This intermediary mechanism ensures both parties have consistent understanding without requiring complex direct negotiation or rigid pre-configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the UE misses detecting DCI in unlicensed frequency bands, then interference resistance is reduced, but the complexity of handling missed detection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInterference resistanceVSAvoidMissed detection handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary action by determining and communicating the number of HARQ-ACK feedback bits through DCI before the UE needs to transmit feedback. This allows the UE to prepare the correct number of feedback bits in advance, reducing the impact of missed DCI detection in interference-prone unlicensed bands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the parameter of HARQ-ACK feedback bit count based on the DCI received from the base station. This parameter adaptation allows the UE to adjust to different feedback requirements while simplifying the handling of missed detection scenarios through standardized fallback procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3965467B1User terminal and wireless communication method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3965467B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3965467B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3965467B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user terminal includes a receiving section that receives downlink control information to request feedback of transmission confirmation information for one or more downlink shared channels, and a control section that determines the number of feedback bits of the transmission confirmation information based on at least one of information related to the number of feedback bits in the downlink control information and information related to transmission timing of last downlink control information to schedule the downlink shared channel. It is possible to prevent inconsistency in understanding of the number of feedback bits of transmission confirmation information between a UE and a base station.