Uplink Control Information Mapping Across Multiple Transmission Time Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 5G system's self-contained subframe (S1) has limited uplink transmission resources, leading to poor coverage for uplink control information, causing potential failures in transmitting large amounts of uplink control information due to insufficient transmission resources.

Innovation Solution

Uplink control information is mapped to at least two transmission time units, allowing it to occupy a larger quantity of symbols, thereby improving coverage and preventing transmission failures by distributing the information across multiple time units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If uplink control information is transmitted within a single self-contained subframe S1, then transmission speed is improved, but coverage is insufficient and transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission of uplink control information across multiple transmission time units (subframes) instead of confining it to a single self-contained subframe S1. The uplink control information is divided and transmitted in multiple parts across different subframes, which resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast transmission within S1 while ensuring reliable delivery through redundant transmission opportunities in subsequent subframes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the quantity of symbols used for uplink transmission in subframe S1 is kept small, then downlink transmission capacity is improved, but uplink control information coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of symbols for downlink transmissionVSAvoidcoverage area for uplink control information
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the transmission of uplink control information from a single time unit (subframe S1) to multiple time units (multiple subframes). By adding the time dimension to the transmission process, the system can maintain a small number of uplink symbols within each S1 subframe for fast downlink capacity while achieving sufficient coverage through repeated transmission opportunities across multiple subframes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If uplink control information is mapped to multiple transmission time units, then coverage is improved, but transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidmapping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of transmission time units from a single subframe to multiple subframes, and introduces configurable parameters such as the number of transmission time units, symbol positions, and resource allocation patterns. These parameter changes enable flexible adaptation to different coverage requirements while managing complexity through standardized mapping rules and configurable parameters rather than complex adaptive algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3512278B1Methods and devices for sending and receiving uplink control information
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3512278B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3512278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3512278B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An uplink control information sending method, an uplink control information receiving method, and a device are provided, to improve coverage, for a PUCCH, of a sub frame in a 5G system. The uplink control information sending method includes: obtaining, by user equipment, uplink control information; and mapping, by the user equipment, the uplink control information to at least two transmission time units, to send the uplink control information to a network device.