Uplink Transmission Formats for 5G NR Data Rates

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G New Radio (NR), face challenges in enhancing uplink transmissions to meet increasing demands for higher data rates, capacity, spectral efficiency, and lower latency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves techniques for one-symbol or two-symbol uplink transmissions, where a one-symbol or two-symbol uplink signal can carry control information, using different formats such as Format 0 and Format 2, and employing sequence-based or frequency division multiplexing (FDM)-based designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional uplink transmission methods are used, then system compatibility is maintained, but data rates and spectral efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata ratesVSAvoidtransmission format flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The uplink transmission is segmented into two distinct formats: Format 0 for 1-symbol transmissions and Format 2 for 2-symbol transmissions. Each format is optimized for specific use cases, allowing the system to achieve higher data rates when needed while maintaining compatibility with existing single-format systems. The segmentation enables selective application of advanced techniques without requiring universal adoption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects between Format 0 and Format 2 based on channel conditions, traffic requirements, and latency constraints. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for high data rates using Format 2 when conditions permit, while falling back to Format 0 for compatibility or when lower rates suffice, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If more symbols are used for uplink transmission, then data throughput increases, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using only 1 or 2 symbols for uplink transmission instead of the conventional longer durations. Format 0 uses exactly 1 symbol, while Format 2 uses 2 symbols, providing just enough transmission time to achieve acceptable throughput while minimizing latency. This partial action approach sacrifices some maximum throughput potential in exchange for significantly reduced transmission time, resolving the contradiction between productivity and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If sequence-based designs are used, then implementation complexity is reduced, but spectral efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation complexityVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the modulation parameter from traditional QPSK to 64-QAM for Format 2 transmissions. This parameter change increases spectral efficiency by 4x compared to QPSK, allowing more data to be transmitted in the same time-frequency resources. The patent carefully manages the complexity increase from higher-order modulation by using it selectively in Format 2 rather than universally, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and spectral efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If 2-symbol Format 2 is used, then spectral efficiency increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs Format 2 to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high spectral efficiency through 64-QAM modulation, supports both uplink data and control information transmission, and maintains backward compatibility through proper signaling. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering comprehensive performance improvements across multiple dimensions, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3625921B1Techniques for uplink transmissions
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3625921B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3625921B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3625921B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Various aspects described herein relate to techniques for uplink transmissions in wireless communication systems. In an aspect, a method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), hopping information for two consecutive symbols, generating, by the UE, a first symbol of the two consecutive symbols using a format, generating, by the UE, a second symbol of the two consecutive symbols based on the format and the hopping information, and transmitting, by the UE, the two consecutive symbols in an uplink signal.