Uplink Feedback Channel Merging for 5G TDD Resource Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing uplink channels due to resource shortages and high-speed service demands, particularly in the context of 5G networks, where advanced methods for channel estimation and resource allocation are needed to support diverse data traffic patterns.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves transmitting uplink channels through frequency hopping, utilizing DMRSs for channel estimation, and determining a time domain window for DMRS transmission to optimize channel estimation and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate physical channels are used for ACK/NACK and CQI feedback, then reliability of feedback transmission is improved, but uplink resource waste increases due to empty resource blocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback transmission reliabilityVSAvoiduplink resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges ACK/NACK feedback and CQI feedback into a single uplink physical channel (PUCCH). The base station configures the UE to transmit both types of feedback on the same resource, eliminating the need for separate dedicated resources for each feedback type. This combining approach maintains reliable feedback transmission while significantly reducing uplink resource waste by eliminating empty resource blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The uplink physical channel is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it can carry ACK/NACK feedback, CQI feedback, or both together, depending on configuration. This multi-functional design allows the same physical channel to adapt to different feedback requirements without needing separate dedicated channels for each feedback type, thereby reducing resource waste while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate physical channels are configured for ACK/NACK and CQI, then feedback reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple channel configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback transmission reliabilityVSAvoidchannel configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple feedback types into a single unified physical channel configuration. Instead of managing separate configurations for ACK/NACK and CQI channels, the base station configures a single PUCCH resource that can carry both feedback types. This merging significantly reduces the complexity of channel configuration, management, and monitoring at both UE and base station while maintaining feedback reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified physical channel is designed with multi-functionality to handle different feedback types through a single configuration. The channel can be flexibly configured to carry ACK/NACK, CQI, or both simultaneously based on network requirements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized channel configurations and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple UEs share the same PUCCH resource for feedback, then uplink resource efficiency is improved, but interference between UEs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink resource efficiencyVSAvoidinter-UE interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PUCCH resource space into multiple orthogonal resources (different time slots, frequency resources, or code sequences) that can be assigned to different UEs. This segmentation allows multiple UEs to share the PUCCH for feedback transmission while maintaining orthogonality between their transmissions, thereby achieving high resource efficiency without significant inter-UE interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves interference by introducing additional dimensions for resource differentiation - using time-domain orthogonality (different slots), frequency-domain orthogonality (different subcarriers), or code-domain orthogonality (different sequences). This multi-dimensional resource allocation allows efficient sharing of PUCCH resources among multiple UEs while maintaining signal separation and minimizing interference.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4191925B1Method for transmitting uplink channel in wireless communication system, and device therefor
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS & TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP4191925B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4191925B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4191925B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method by which a terminal transmits an uplink channel in a wireless communication system comprises steps of: receiving, from a base station, first information, which is information related to a time division duplex (TDD) configuration; and repeatedly transmitting, to the base station, an uplink channel on a resource determined on the basis of the first information.