Uplink Control Information Multiplexing for Multi-TRP Wireless Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, user equipment devices face challenges in determining which transmission-reception point (TRP) to transmit uplink control information to, especially when TRPs have non-ideal backhaul connections, requiring efficient mechanisms to target the correct TRP for control information such as scheduling requests, beam failure recovery, and channel state information.
Innovation Solution
The user equipment determines a higher layer index (HLI) value to target the appropriate TRP for transmitting uplink control information, using various methods such as configuration messages, higher layer signaling, and spatial relation information, ensuring accurate transmission on Physical Uplink Control Channels (PUCCH) and Physical Uplink Shared Channels (PUSCH).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE transmits uplink control information to multiple TRPs, then the reliability of control information delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to determine and manage multiple HLI values and target different TRPs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink control information transmission by associating different HLI values with different TRPs. Each HLI value acts as an identifier that segments the transmission target, allowing the UE to separately manage and transmit control information to multiple TRPs through distinct logical channels (PUCCH or PUSCH resources), thereby improving reliability without overwhelming the device with undifferentiated complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The HLI value serves as an intermediary between the UE and multiple TRPs. Instead of directly managing complex multi-TRP transmission parameters, the UE uses the HLI value as a mediator to select appropriate transmission resources (PUCCH or PUSCH). This intermediary simplifies the transmission management process while ensuring reliable delivery to the correct TRP
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE uses multiple transmission resources (PUCCH and PUSCH) for uplink control information, then the adaptability of the transmission mechanism is improved, but the loss of time increases due to resource determination and selection overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the association between HLI values and transmission resources (PUCCH or PUSCH) through higher layer signaling before actual transmission occurs. This pre-establishment of resource mappings allows the UE to quickly determine the appropriate transmission resource based on the HLI value without performing complex real-time resource selection, thus maintaining adaptability while minimizing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the transmission resource (PUCCH or PUSCH) to be dynamically selected based on the HLI value and current transmission conditions. The system can flexibly switch between different resource types (control channel or shared channel) depending on the uplink scheduling status and TRP configuration, providing adaptability without requiring exhaustive real-time resource evaluation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the TRPs have non-ideal backhaul connections, then the independence of TRP operations is improved, but the quantity of uplink control information transmissions increases as each TRP requires separate control information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a unified HLI-based transmission mechanism that can serve multiple TRPs with non-ideal backhaul connections. The same HLI value determination and resource selection process works universally for any TRP, regardless of backhaul conditions. This allows the system to handle increased control information volume through a scalable, multi-functional framework rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each TRP
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) communicates with transmission-reception points (TRPs). When the UE generates uplink control information (UCI), it determines a higher layer index (HLI) value to target the UCI to the appropriate TRP. (Possible values of the HLI are associated with the TRPs.) For UCI on Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), the HLI value may be determined: based on an HLI value configured for a control resource set (CORESET), or for particular Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) resources; based on UCI type or spatial relation data or an index related to PUCCH resources. For UCI on a configured-grant Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), the HLI value may be based on higher layer signals or an indicator relating to channel sounding on spatial relation data. For UCI on MsgA PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure, the HLI value may be based on PUSCH resource unit or PUSCH opportunity.