Uplink Control Information Transmission for Misaligned PUCCH Resources

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G communications systems, existing technologies fail to perform joint coding and transmission of uplink control information when physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources for scheduling requests (SRs) are not aligned with HARQ/CSI resources in the time domain, leading to transmission conflicts and inefficiencies in uplink data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method where a terminal device determines a time window based on the HARQ/CSI PUCCH and identifies overlapping second PUCCHs to jointly code and transmit SRs, using resource configurations with higher priorities and state/index information to ensure efficient data transmission, even when PUCCH resources are not aligned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If PUCCH resources for SRs are aligned with HARQ/CSI PUCCH resource in time domain, then joint coding and transmission can be performed, but this alignment limits the flexibility of resource configuration and cannot support multiple SR configurations with different time domains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource configuration flexibilityVSAvoidjoint coding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PUCCH resources into different time domain positions, allowing SRs with different configurations to be transmitted at different times. The terminal device determines a time window based on the HARQ/CSI PUCCH resource and identifies overlapping second PUCCHs within this time window, enabling selective joint coding only where resources overlap rather than requiring complete alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic time window determination where the time window is based on the HARQ/CSI PUCCH resource configuration. The terminal device dynamically identifies which second PUCCHs overlap with this time window and selectively performs joint coding only for those overlapping resources, making the system adaptable to different resource configurations without fixed alignment requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple SRs with different configurations are transmitted simultaneously, then uplink data transmission efficiency improves, but transmission conflicts occur when PUCCH resources are not aligned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink data transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary determination of the time window based on the HARQ/CSI PUCCH resource before identifying which second PUCCHs to jointly code. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-establish the time domain range and subsequently select overlapping resources for joint transmission, ensuring reliable transmission planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The time window acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the HARQ/CSI PUCCH resource and the multiple second PUCCHs. By using this intermediate time window parameter, the system can identify overlapping resources and perform selective joint coding, resolving transmission conflicts while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If joint coding is performed for all overlapping PUCCHs, then resource utilization maximizes, but processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of transmitted SRsVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by performing joint coding only for second PUCCHs that overlap with the determined time window, rather than processing all possible PUCCHs. The terminal device identifies specific overlapping resources and performs joint coding selectively in those local regions, maximizing resource utilization for transmitted SRs while limiting processing scope to only necessary overlapping areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3726912B1Method for transmitting uplink control information, access network device and terminal device
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3726912B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3726912B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3726912B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose an uplink control information transmission method, an access network device, and a terminal device, and relate to the communications field, to resolve a prior-art problem that joint coding and transmission cannot be performed in a scenario in which PUCCH resources of SRs are not aligned with a PUCCH resource of a HARQ/CSI in time domain. The uplink control information transmission method includes: determining a time domain position of a first PUCCH, where the first PUCCH is used to carry first UCI, and the first UCI includes a HARQ and/or CSI; determining N second PUCCHs, where the N second PUCCHs correspond to M resource configurations, both N and M are integers greater than or equal to 2, N is greater than or equal to M, and a time domain position of each of the second PUCCHs overlaps a time window corresponding to the time domain position of the first PUCCH; and sending the first UCI and second UCI on the first PUCCH, where the second UCI corresponds to at least one of the M resource configurations, and the second UCI includes SR information.