Uplink HARQ-ACK Priority Management in PUCCH Resource Allocation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face limitations in flexibility and efficiency, particularly in managing high-priority and low-priority hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) transmissions on the physical uplink shared channel (PUCCH), which can overlap, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and data processing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of receiving and transmitting circuitry in user equipment (UE) and base stations that prioritize HARQ-ACK transmissions by using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to schedule the physical uplink shared channel (PUCCH), specifically handling overlaps by identifying and managing transmissions corresponding to different priority levels within a common search space associated with a control resource set #0 (CORESET #0).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If HARQ-ACK transmissions of different priority levels are allowed on PUCCH, then communication flexibility and functionality are improved, but resource allocation complexity and transmission management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments HARQ-ACK transmissions into different priority levels (first priority and second priority) with distinct PUCCH resource allocation rules. High-priority HARQ-ACK transmissions use separately configured PUCCH resources, while low-priority transmissions use other PUCCH resources. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple priority levels without requiring complete redesign of the transmission management framework, thus improving flexibility while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different PUCCH resource parameters specifically for high-priority HARQ-ACK transmissions. The network can configure dedicated PUCCH resources, formats, and timing parameters for first-priority transmissions, while second-priority transmissions use default or alternative configurations. This localized optimization allows enhanced functionality for critical transmissions without complicating the entire system uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If PUCCH resources for high-priority and low-priority HARQ-ACK are separately configured, then transmission reliability is improved, but resource allocation overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource allocation overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring PUCCH resources for high-priority HARQ-ACK transmissions through dedicated RRC signaling before actual transmissions occur. The network configures parameters such as PUCCH format, resource indices, and timing offsets in advance, stored in the UE for immediate use when high-priority transmissions are needed. This eliminates the need for dynamic resource allocation negotiations, reducing signaling overhead during actual transmissions while ensuring reliable dedicated resources are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If overlapping PUCCH transmissions are managed with priority rules, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach: instead of allowing all transmissions and managing conflicts through complex scheduling algorithms, the system prioritizes high-priority HARQ-ACK transmissions by allocating them dedicated PUCCH resources that are protected from overlap with low-priority transmissions. When a high-priority transmission is detected, the UE cancels or prioritizes it over low-priority transmissions, simplifying the conflict resolution logic while improving resource utilization for critical communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12200686B2User equipments, base stations and methods for a priority of uplink transmission(s)

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 SHARP KK

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is described. The UE includes receiving circuitry configured to receive on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a downlink control information (DCI) format used for scheduling of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The UE further includes transmitting circuitry configured to perform hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) transmission which is identified as a high priority. The transmitting circuitry is further configured to perform HARQ-ACK transmission corresponding to the PDSCH scheduled by using a PDCCH for the DCI format which is detected in a common search space associated with a control resource set #0 (a CORESET #0).