UE HARQ Capability Reporting for Multi-Carrier Memory Limits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The fixed maximum quantity of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes configured for user equipment (UE) by network nodes can lead to memory limitations, preventing the UE from supporting a larger number of component carriers and impacting peak throughput.
Innovation Solution
The UE reports its supported quantity of HARQ processes and buffering capability across all configured component carriers, allowing the network node to flexibly configure HARQ processes without exceeding memory constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the quantity of HARQ processes is increased to prevent scheduling delays, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but memory requirements at the UE increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration of HARQ process quantities per cell rather than using a fixed maximum. The network node can flexibly configure the number of HARQ processes for each cell based on actual scheduling needs, allowing the system to adapt between memory-constrained and performance-constrained regimes. This resolves the contradiction by making the HARQ process quantity a variable parameter rather than a static limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of HARQ process quantity from a fixed system-wide maximum to a configurable per-cell parameter. By allowing the network node to adjust this parameter dynamically based on scheduling requirements and UE memory capabilities, the system can optimize between scheduling flexibility and memory consumption without being constrained by a predetermined maximum.
2Device complexity
If the maximum quantity of HARQ processes is fixed to simplify UE design, then device complexity is reduced, but the UE cannot support larger quantities of component carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed HARQ process maximum into a dynamic, configurable parameter. The network node can adjust the per-cell HARQ process quantity based on the number of component carriers and actual scheduling needs, enabling the UE to adapt to different carrier configurations without requiring a predetermined fixed maximum for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the HARQ process configuration from a single fixed system parameter into per-cell configurable parameters. This segmentation allows the total HARQ process quantity to be distributed across multiple cells based on actual needs, enabling support for larger numbers of component carriers while maintaining manageable complexity through localized configuration rather than a monolithic fixed limit.
3Productivity
If additional memory is allocated at the UE to support more HARQ processes, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but the UE cannot support as many component carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic allocation of HARQ process resources per cell based on actual scheduling requirements rather than allocating memory uniformly across all potential carriers. This allows the UE to support more component carriers with limited memory by concentrating HARQ buffer resources only in cells that are actively scheduled, resolving the trade-off between scheduling flexibility and carrier support capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may transmit a UE capability report indicating a maximum quantity of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes supported across a plurality of component carriers (CCs) or indicating a HARQ buffering capability. The UE may receive a HARQ process quantity configuration in accordance with the UE capability report. Numerous other aspects are described.