Uplink ACK Resource Allocation for Persistent Wireless Users

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face significant overhead in allocating uplink acknowledgement (ACK) resources, particularly for user equipment (UEs) with persistent resource assignments, as conventional methods are inefficient and ineffective for UEs not utilizing control channels.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for efficiently allocating uplink ACK resources by identifying UEs with persistent assignments and explicitly assigning ACK resources, using a bundled persistent assignment of communication resources, and indexing ACK resources to prevent conflicts between scheduled and persistent users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If uplink ACK resources are mapped to downlink communication resources, then ACK allocation is established, but excessive overhead occurs when few UEs utilize significant downlink resources

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveACK allocationVSAvoidresource overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the allocation parameter from downlink communication resources to uplink control channel resources. By mapping ACK resources to specific control channels (PDCCH, EPDCCH) rather than downlink data resources, the system achieves reliable ACK allocation while reducing overhead when few UEs are active, as ACK resources are only allocated when control channel resources are actually used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal ACK resource allocation mechanism that works for both scheduled and persistent UEs. The control channel-based mapping provides a multi-functional solution that handles different UE types (scheduled with dynamic assignments and persistent with pre-configured resources) through a unified approach, eliminating the need for separate allocation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ACK resources are mapped to control channels, then ACK allocation works for scheduled UEs, but it is ineffective for persistent UEs that do not utilize control channels

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveACK resource allocationVSAvoidACK allocation for persistent UEs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the persistent downlink resource assignment itself serves as the mediator for ACK resource allocation. Instead of requiring control channels as intermediaries, the system uses the persistent resource configuration message to carry ACK resource information, enabling persistent UEs to obtain ACK resources without needing control channel communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by having persistent UEs receive ACK resource allocations through their persistent resource assignment rather than through control channels. This reversal of the allocation path allows persistent UEs, which avoid control channels for data transmission, to also avoid them for ACK resource acquisition, maintaining their efficiency benefits while ensuring reliable ACK allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If persistent and scheduled UEs share the same system, then resource utilization is optimized, but collisions occur between their ACK resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidACK resource collision-free operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ACK resource allocation space by creating distinct allocation mechanisms for persistent and scheduled UEs. Persistent UEs receive ACK resources embedded in their persistent resource assignments, while scheduled UEs receive ACK resources through control channel mappings. This segmentation of allocation paths prevents collisions even though both UE types operate in the same system with shared radio resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different ACK resource allocation characteristics to different UE types. Persistent UEs get dedicated ACK resource assignments tied to their specific persistent configurations, while scheduled UEs get dynamically allocated ACK resources linked to their control channel assignments. This localized differentiation ensures collision-free operation while maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2165561B1Method and apparatus for ul ACK allocation

Publication Date: 2019.06.26 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate allocation of uplink acknowledgement (ACK) resources for a wireless communication system. Various aspects described herein facilitate explicit creation and transmission of a bundled assignment of downlink communication resources and uplink resources for ACK transmission, thereby facilitating overhead-efficient ACK allocation for users that can communicate pursuant to a persistent resource assignment without requiring scheduling information from an associated control channel. Additionally, indexing schemes for uplink ACK resources are provided herein to facilitate ACK allocation for systems in which both scheduled and persistent users can communicate at a common transmission time interval (TTI).