UL MIMO Retransmission Precoding Control in LTE

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE systems, the existing UL synchronous HARQ process is limited by the need for separate control signals for retransmissions, which increases resource consumption and limits the number of simultaneous HARQ processes due to the reliance on PHICH and PDCCH for changing transmission properties during retransmissions, especially in scenarios where only one of two transmitted codewords is successfully decoded.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves configuring the UE and eNB to independently determine and manage the precoding matrix for UL MIMO transmissions without a separate control signal, allowing for retransmissions to be handled based on previously used parameters, such as scrambling sequences and RS parameters, to optimize resource allocation and reduce overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate control signals (PDCCH/PHICH) are used for UL HARQ retransmissions to change transmission properties, then the reliability of retransmission control is improved, but the resource consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretransmission control reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol signal overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the transmission property configuration from separate control signals (PDCCH/PHICH) and integrates it into the uplink data transmission itself. The UE determines precoding matrices and other transmission properties autonomously based on downlink channel estimates, eliminating the need for eNB to send separate control signals for retransmission property changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs self-service by autonomously determining its own transmission properties (precoding matrices, power allocation, etc.) for uplink MIMO retransmissions based on downlink channel state information. This self-determination mechanism eliminates dependency on continuous eNB control signaling for property management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If PHICH and PDCCH are used for changing transmission properties during retransmissions, then the adaptability of transmission control is improved, but the number of simultaneous HARQ processes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission property adaptabilityVSAvoidnumber of simultaneous HARQ processes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE determine and store multiple precoding matrices in advance based on downlink channel estimates before uplink retransmissions occur. This pre-determination allows the UE to quickly switch between different transmission properties during retransmissions without waiting for control signals, thereby increasing the number of simultaneous HARQ processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If separate control signals are required for UL MIMO retransmissions, then the precision of transmission property control is improved, but the resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission property control precisionVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the downlink channel state information serve multiple functions: it is used for both downlink reception optimization and uplink transmission property determination. This multi-functionality allows the UE to derive precoding matrices and other transmission properties from the same channel estimates used for downlink, eliminating the need for separate control signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3675399B1Transmission/reception method and apparatus for uplink MIMO retransmission in LTE system
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3675399B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675399B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675399B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station supporting uplink multiple input multiple output, UL MIMO, and configured to: receive, via the transceiver, a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH, based on two transport blocks; transmit, via the transceiver, a hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, indicator for the PUSCH on a physical HARQ indicator channel, PHICH, and not detecting a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH; and in case that one of the two transport blocks, TB, is negatively acknowledged, receive, via the transceiver, retransmission of a negatively acknowledged TB by using a precoding matrix indicated by a precoding index 0 and a number of transmission layers equal to a number of layers corresponding to the negatively acknowledged TB, wherein at least one uplink demodulation reference signal, DMRS, resource is calculated according to a cyclic shift field for DMRS, and the number of layers corresponding to the negatively acknowledged transport block..