Uplink Control Channel Resource Sets for Compact UCI Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The continuous increase in the number of uplink channels allocated by the access network device leads to excessive consumption of downlink channel resources and inefficient utilization of uplink channels due to varying bit quantities of uplink control information (UCI) in different subframes, resulting in potential UCI bit losses.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring multiple channel resource sets, each containing at least two channel resources, allowing the terminal device to determine a first channel resource set based on UCI type or size, and using channel indication information to select a specific resource within the set, reducing the need for additional bits in channel indication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the access network device allocates more uplink channels to the terminal device, then the capacity to handle varying UCI sizes is improved, but the consumption of downlink channel resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity to handle varying UCI sizesVSAvoidconsumption of downlink channel resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink channel resources into multiple resource sets, where each set contains multiple channel resources. The terminal device selects one resource set based on the UCI size, and then selects a specific channel resource within the set using compact indication information. This segmentation allows the system to handle varying UCI sizes efficiently without requiring the access network device to allocate all possible channel resources, thereby reducing downlink resource consumption while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the access network device uses dynamic indication information to specify uplink channels, then the terminal device can accurately select appropriate channels, but the number of bits in indication information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of channel selectionVSAvoidnumber of bits in indication information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a two-stage selection mechanism that adds a dimensional layer to the channel resource indication. Instead of directly indicating one channel resource from a large pool, the system first indicates a resource set (coarse-grained selection) and then indicates a specific resource within the set (fine-grained selection). This dimensional approach allows accurate channel selection while significantly reducing the number of bits required in the dynamic indication information.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the access network device allocates multiple uplink channels in advance, then the terminal device has more options for UCI feedback, but the utilization of uplink channels becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptions for UCI feedbackVSAvoidutilization of uplink channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic resource selection mechanism where the terminal device adaptively chooses the appropriate resource set and channel resource based on the actual UCI size and channel conditions. This dynamic approach ensures that uplink channel resources are allocated efficiently according to real-time needs, preventing both over-provisioning (which reduces utilization) and under-provisioning (which limits options), thereby achieving high productivity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4057747B1Uplink control information sending method, uplink control information receiving method, apparatus, and system
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4057747B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4057747B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4057747B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an uplink control information sending method, an uplink control information receiving method, an apparatus, and a system. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, channel indication information from an access network device on a physical control channel; determining the channel resource set that is of N channel resource sets and that matches a type or a size of the UCI as a first channel resource set; determining a channel resource that is in the first channel resource set and that is indicated by the channel indication information; and sending uplink control information UCI to the access network device on the channel resource. A quantity of bits that need to be added to the channel indication information in the embodiments of the present invention is less than that in the prior art, reducing consumption of downlink channel resources by the channel indication information in a delivery process.