Downlink control information

Abstract

An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information having a control command for the user equipment and an indication that the downlink control information is transmitted to the user equipment; the indication is used for indicating that additional information related to the control command is transmitted through a physical downlink shared channel; and transmitting the additional information related to the control command through the downlink shared channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to transmitting downlink control information to user equipment in a wireless telecommunications network. Background Art

[0002] 5G networks already have mechanisms for controlling user equipment (UE) using a variety of mechanisms, such as downlink control information (DCI) commands, media access control (MAC) control elements, and radio resource control (RRC) protocol procedures. Although these commands can be used to control the UE, unexpected consequences can occur, such as limited functionality in DCI / MAC CEs and a surge in signaling in RRC procedures. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved technique for controlling user equipment. Summary of the invention

[0003] The scope of protection sought by various exemplary embodiments of the invention is set out in the independent claims.Example embodiments and features described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims, if any, should be interpreted as examples that aid in understanding the various embodiments of the invention.

[0004] Various, but not necessarily all, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and

[0005] At least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information having a control command for the user equipment and an indication indicating that additional information related to the control command is transmitted via a physical downlink shared channel; and transmitting the additional information related to the control command via the downlink shared channel.

[0006] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the user equipment.

[0007] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0008] The control command may indicate a change in the resource configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0009] The control command may indicate a change in bandwidth part, physical resource blocks, transmission power, discontinuous reception scheduling and / or discontinuous transmission scheduling configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0010] The additional information may indicate additional control parameters associated with the control command.

[0011] The additional information may be indicative of at least one quantity related to the change in configuration.

[0012] The additional information may indicate an increase, a decrease, an amount of change, a delay period until the change, and / or a duration of the change in configuration.

[0013] The control command or the additional information may indicate that the user equipment should revert to a previous configuration of the user equipment after expiration of the control command.

[0014] Downlink control information may be transmitted through a physical downlink control channel, and additional information may be transmitted through a physical downlink shared channel using information elements.

[0015] The control command may indicate in which time slot the additional information is to be transmitted.

[0016] At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, can cause the apparatus to at least perform: grouping a set of user equipment based on operations of the set of user equipment; identifying changes in configuration for the set of user equipment; and transmitting downlink control information and additional information indicating the change in configuration to the set of user equipment.

[0017] Grouping may group a collection of user devices based on used services and / or traffic patterns.

[0018] At least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, may cause the device to at least: transmit an indication of a change in configuration to a central unit.

[0019] Indications of changes in configuration may be transmitted to the central unit using F1 application protocol signaling.

[0020] The apparatus may comprise distributed units.

[0021] The distributed units and the central unit may comprise decoupled units of the wireless telecommunications network.

[0022] According to various but not necessarily all example embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided, comprising: transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information having a control command for the user equipment and an indication that additional information related to the control command is transmitted via a physical downlink shared channel; and transmitting the additional information related to the control command via the downlink shared channel.

[0023] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the user equipment.

[0024] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0025] The control command may indicate a change in the resource configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0026] The control command may indicate a change in bandwidth part, physical resource blocks, transmission power, discontinuous reception scheduling and / or discontinuous transmission scheduling configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0027] The additional information may indicate additional control parameters associated with the control command.

[0028] The additional information may be indicative of at least one quantity related to the change in configuration.

[0029] The additional information may indicate an increase, a decrease, an amount of change, a delay period until the change, and / or a duration of the change in configuration.

[0030] The control command or the additional information may indicate that the user equipment should revert to a previous configuration of the user equipment after expiration of the control command.

[0031] Downlink control information may be transmitted through a physical downlink control channel, and additional information may be transmitted through a physical downlink shared channel using information elements.

[0032] The control command may indicate in which time slot the additional information is to be transmitted.

[0033] The method may include grouping a set of user equipment based on operation of the set of user equipment; identifying a change in configuration for the set of user equipment; and transmitting downlink control information and additional information indicating the change in configuration to the set of user equipment.

[0034] Grouping may group a collection of user devices based on used services and / or traffic patterns.

[0035] The method may comprise transmitting an indication of the change in configuration to a central unit.

[0036] Indications of changes in configuration may be transmitted to the central unit using F1 application protocol signaling.

[0037] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being used to execute the above method and its optional features.

[0038] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and

[0039] At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving downlink control information at a user equipment, determining whether the downlink control information has a control command for the user equipment and an indication that additional information related to the control command is transmitted via a physical downlink shared channel and, if so, receiving the additional information related to the control command via the downlink shared channel.

[0040] At least one memory stores instructions, which when executed by at least one processor can cause the apparatus to at least perform: executing a control command according to the additional information.

[0041] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the user equipment.

[0042] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0043] The control command may indicate a change in the resource configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0044] The control command may indicate a change in bandwidth part, physical resource blocks, transmission power, discontinuous reception scheduling and / or discontinuous transmission scheduling configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0045] The additional information may indicate additional control parameters associated with the control command.

[0046] The additional information may be indicative of at least one quantity related to the change in configuration.

[0047] The additional information may indicate an increase, a decrease, an amount of change, a delay period until the change, and / or a duration of the change in configuration.

[0048] The control command or the additional information may indicate that the user equipment should revert to a previous configuration of the user equipment after expiration of the control command.

[0049] The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to at least perform: reverting to a previous configuration of the user equipment after expiration of the control command.

[0050] The downlink control information may be received through a physical downlink control channel, and the additional information may be received through a physical downlink shared channel using an information element.

[0051] The control command may indicate in which time slot the additional information is to be transmitted.

[0052] The apparatus may include user equipment.

[0053] The distributed units and the central unit may comprise decoupled units of the wireless telecommunications network.

[0054] According to various but not necessarily all example embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided, comprising: receiving downlink control information at a user equipment, determining whether the downlink control information has a control command for the user equipment and an indication that additional information related to the control command is transmitted via a physical downlink shared channel and, if so, receiving the additional information related to the control command via the downlink shared channel.

[0055] The method may include executing a control command according to the additional information.

[0056] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the user equipment.

[0057] The control command may indicate a change in the configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0058] The control command may indicate a change in the resource configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0059] The control command may indicate a change in bandwidth part, physical resource blocks, transmission power, discontinuous reception scheduling and / or discontinuous transmission scheduling configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

[0060] The additional information may indicate additional control parameters associated with the control command.

[0061] The additional information may be indicative of at least one quantity related to the change in configuration.

[0062] The additional information may indicate an increase, a decrease, an amount of change, a delay period until the change, and / or a duration of the change in configuration.

[0063] The control command or the additional information may indicate that the user equipment should revert to a previous configuration of the user equipment after expiration of the control command.

[0064] The method may include reverting to a previous configuration of the user equipment after expiration of the control command.

[0065] The downlink control information may be received through a physical downlink control channel, and the additional information may be received through a physical downlink shared channel using an information element.

[0066] The control command may indicate in which time slot the additional information is to be transmitted.

[0067] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being used to execute the above method and its optional features.

[0068] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and

[0069] At least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving an indication of a change in configuration for a user equipment from a distributed unit, the indication being received at a central unit using F1 application protocol signaling.

[0070] The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to at least perform: storing the change in configuration in a user equipment context associated with the user equipment.

[0071] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method comprising: receiving from a distributed unit an indication of a change in configuration of a user equipment, the indication being received at a central unit using F1 application protocol signalling.

[0072] The method may include storing the change in configuration in a user equipment context associated with the user equipment.

[0073] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being used to execute the above method and its optional features.

[0074] Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in ways other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

[0075] Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be understood that this includes apparatus features that provide that function or that are adapted or configured to provide that function. Brief Description

[0076] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0077] Figure 1 shows the messaging between network nodes of a wireless telecommunications network when an action configuration changes;

[0078] Figure 2 shows steps taken by a distributed unit and a user device when a role configuration changes according to an example embodiment; and

[0079] Figure 3 Shown are steps taken by the distributed units and the central unit when the role configuration changes according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Before discussing the example embodiments in more detail, an overview will first be provided. Some example embodiments provide a technique whereby a first network node of a wireless telecommunications network is able to send a command to a second network node of the wireless telecommunications network via a first channel to change the configuration of the first network node and the second network node from a first configuration to a second configuration. The command is accompanied by additional information sent to the second network node via a second channel. The second network node then executes the command according to the additional information to change the configuration of the second network node to the second configuration. The additional information may include conditional information about when or under which conditions the configuration change should occur. Once the condition is no longer applicable, the second network node can be restored to the first configuration. For example, the command may require a configuration change of a radio interface, and the conditional information may indicate in more detail what the configuration change is and / or when the configuration change should occur. This method enables more complex configuration changes than can usually be supported by commands on the first channel to be performed by enhancing the additional information sent on the second channel. Moreover, making the configuration change conditional can result in fewer commands needing to be sent because the configuration can be changed again without any further commands being sent.

[0081] As background, 5G networks already have mechanisms to control user equipment (UE) using multiple mechanisms such as downlink control information (DCI) commands and media access control (MAC) control elements. However, these commands are executed instantaneously. For example, when a DCI command is sent to switch the UE to another bandwidth part (BWP), the UE immediately executes it and moves to the indicated BWP. Therefore, it can be seen that the control mechanism is more like a trigger to use a new configuration (new BWP, uplink (UL) power or discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, etc.) from a given moment, and the trigger remains valid until a new command is received. With the introduction of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AIML) support in the radio access network (RAN), and also in the context of 6G to support various use cases, it is possible for the RAN to predict additional information associated with the control command. For example, when the UE is being switched from BWP1 to BWP2 when there is congestion in BWP1, it is possible for the RAN to also predict when the UE can be switched back to BWP1. In another example, it is possible to dynamically optimize the DRX configuration. If this is done according to an L3 based solution, it introduces more latency. This implies that additional information associated with the control command needs to be sent to the UE. Some example embodiments provide a mechanism to support this. As an example, in a key issue like this, connected DRX (CDRX) optimization has a great impact on UE power consumption (battery life). In addition, support for CDRX enhancements for power saving processing is a key issue being studied in the context of XR (Extended Reality) services in 3gpp Rel-18. Therefore, CDRX optimization is a key topic that needs to be addressed.

[0082] Therefore, it is desirable to provide faster and more efficient dynamically controlled signaling than provided in existing approaches. The existing signaling and delays involved can be illustrated in the following example use cases: Use Case #1 (which is DCI based): Switching BWP1 to BWP2 for a given duration. In existing approaches, this requires 2 DCIs, one to switch to BWP2 and another DCI to switch back to BWP1. Use Case #2 (which is RRC based): More dynamic control of DRX configuration (on-off periods or other configuration changes). Due to the set of setup / release actions involved between the 5G decoupled gNB and the Central Unit (CU) / Distributed Unit (DU) of the Network (NW) / UE, signaling overhead is introduced. a) Release the current DRX configuration in DU b) Release the current DRX configuration in the UE c) Establish updated DRX configuration in DU d) Establishing the updated DRX configuration in the UE

[0083] From a signaling perspective, since there is also an increased delay, there will be a total of 12 messages involving the F1AP and RRC interfaces, such as Figure 1 as shown in .

[0084] Therefore, some example embodiments provide: a DU-centric method for identifying the need for dynamic control of resource configuration; a DU-centric physical downlink control channel + physical downlink shared channel (PDCCH + PDSCH) based method for signaling of associated configuration information; and DU notification of configuration changes to CUs. Flags that require dynamic control of resource reconfiguration in DU

[0085] In some example embodiments, the DU performs analysis and groups the UE(s) based on the services / traffic patterns used or other operating characteristics (the group may include only a single UE). The DU listens to the UL / DL traffic patterns / radio conditions / other operating parameters for those UEs. The DU identifies (using ML or non-ML techniques) the optimal UE configuration required, such as CDRX configuration, required BWP switching, etc. The DU decides the set of UE(s) for which CDRX, BWP or other UE configurations must be reconfigured. PDCCH+PDSCH based method for signaling associated configuration information in a DU

[0086] In some example embodiments, the signaling based on the current DCI is extended to include additional configuration or control information associated with a "control command". Here, "control command" refers to additional actions of the optimal UE configuration (new BWP configuration, changes in physical resource blocks, UL power configuration, DRX configuration, discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, etc.) determined above for (multiple) UEs. Currently, DCI (mapped to PDCCH) can be used to signal only a certain amount of configuration or control information. In some example embodiments, the additional configuration or control information is carried in the PDSCH associated with the control information carried in the DCI mapped to the PDCCH. Typically, the DCI provides an indication that the additional configuration or control information is carried in the PDSCH. Typically, the DCI provides an indication of the time slot carrying the additional configuration or control information. As described in more detail below, the additional configuration or control information generally indicates additional control parameters related to the DCI, such as an increase, decrease, amount of change, a delay period until the change, and / or the duration of the change in the configuration for the optimal UE configuration. This mechanism enables a fast signaling based approach to perform / control the required configuration changes in the UE (such as BWP, UL power or DRX configuration etc.) and reduces latency and power due to the possibility of dynamic decisions and low signaling overhead.

[0087] As described above, the control command and the additional control information may be transmitted in the same time slot or in different time slots (the DCI triggers the UE to monitor the PDSCH region for the additional control information). DU notifies CU of configuration changes

[0088] In some example embodiments, the DU notifies the CU of configuration changes requested by the DCI as well as additional configuration or control information, since the CU keeps track of the current configuration for a given UE.

[0089] The methods of some example embodiments provide effective control / management of latency, power saving gains / battery life improvements. Example Operation - Detecting Mechanisms That Require Resource Reconfiguration in DU

[0090] First, the DU groups the UE(s) based on the services / traffic patterns used. Then, the DU monitors the UL / DL traffic patterns / radio conditions. The DU identifies the optimal CDRX configuration or BWP switching required. The DU decides the set of UE(s) for which the CDRX or BWP must be reconfigured. Example Operation - Mechanism for enhancing control commands with optional additional information via PDSCH Not carried in PDCCH

[0091] This method has the added benefit of PDSCH link adaptation and is more efficient. DCI provides a mechanism to identify the specific resources being controlled (e.g., BWP, power, DRX duration) and the associated additional control information (e.g., increase / decrease, amount, duration, etc.) carried on the PDSCH. This optional additional information information element (IE) is provided with the DCI. If included, the UE will restore the previous configuration when the criteria mentioned in the additional information are met. Example - BWP Switching

[0092] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , at step S10, the DU 10 determines that BWP1 is congested, and the gNB-DU decides to move the (multiple) high priority UEs 20 to BWP2 for a certain duration (predicted), after which the (multiple) high priority UEs 20 may automatically return to BWP1. The UE 20 is currently in BWP1.

[0093] At step S20, a DCI command with additional information = timer value 5s (obtained based on the AIML algorithm) is issued to switch to BWP2.

[0094] At step S30 , the UE 20 decodes the DCI and identifies that additional information is included in the PDSCH.

[0095] In step S40, UE 20 monitors the PDSCH and decodes the additional information.

[0096] At step S50, UE 20 executes the DCI command (switch to BWP2 for 5s duration) together with the additional information.

[0097] At step S60, when the 5s duration expires, the UE switches back to BWP1. Example - CDRX Reconfiguration

[0098] In a similar manner to step S10 described above, the DU 10 determines that a change in DRX scheduling is required.

[0099] In a similar manner to step S20 above, the DCI command is issued together with the additional information. Such a DCI command together with the additional information may include: For period T, reduce / increase DRX on duration by X amount; For T period, decrease / increase DRX DRX inactivity duration

[0100] Similarly, the DCI command together with the additional information may be applied to all parameters of C-DRX.

[0101] In a similar manner to steps S30 to S60 described above, UE 20 decodes the DCI and identifies that the additional information is included in the PDSCH, UE 20 monitors the PDSCH and decodes the additional information. UE 20 executes the DCI command together with the additional information. When the duration expires, the UE switches back to the previous configuration without the need for an additional command. Example Operation - Notification Method from DU to CU

[0102] In some example embodiments, because the DU 10 is using a dynamic control mechanism to perform configuration changes of certain resources (BWP switching, DRX configuration, etc.), the DU 10 should also be able to signal the latest configuration to the CU 30 .

[0103] like Figure 3 As shown, at step S70 , the DU 10 determines that a configuration change has been signaled to the UE 20 .

[0104] At step S80 , the DU 10 signals the CU 30 of the configuration change.

[0105] In step S90, the CU 30 stores the latest configuration in the UE context.

[0106] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the steps of various above-mentioned methods can be performed by a programmed computer. In this article, some embodiments are also intended to encompass program storage devices, such as digital data storage media, which are machine or computer readable and encode machine executable or computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform some or all steps of the above-mentioned method. The program storage device can be, for example, a digital memory, a magnetic storage medium such as a disk and a tape, a hard drive, or an optically readable digital data storage medium. Embodiments are also intended to encompass computers programmed to perform the steps of the above-mentioned method. Contrary to the limitation of data storage persistence (e.g., RAM to ROM), the term "non-transient" used herein is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, rather than signal).

[0107] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more, or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable): (i) a combination of (one or more) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of a hardware processor(s) with software (including a digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(s) that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but where the software is not required, the software may not be present.

[0108] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device, if applicable to the particular claim element.

[0109] Although example embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

[0110] Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

[0111] Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

[0112] Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

[0113] Although efforts have been made in the foregoing description to call attention to those features which are regarded as particularly important to the present invention, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection for any patentable feature or combination of features mentioned above and / or shown in the accompanying drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been given thereto.

Claims

1. A device comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus to at least perform: decoding, by a user equipment, downlink control information on a physical downlink control channel, wherein the downlink control information has a control command for the user equipment and an indication that additional information related to the control command is carried over a physical downlink shared channel, wherein the control command indicates a change in configuration, and the additional information indicates additional control parameters related to the control command, the additional control parameters including a duration of the change in configuration; Monitoring the physical downlink shared channel: decoding the additional information; executing the control command according to the additional information, and After expiration of the duration, reverting to a previous configuration of the user equipment. 2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the additional information further indicates an increase, a decrease, an amount of the change and / or a delay period until the change.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control command indicates a change in a bandwidth part, a physical resource block, a transmission power, a discontinuous reception scheduling and / or a discontinuous transmission scheduling configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the control command indicates a switch to a second bandwidth portion and, after the expiration, an automatic return to the previously configured bandwidth portion is performed.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control command indicates: Decrease / increase the DRX On Duration by a certain amount, or Decrease / increase the DRX inactivity duration by a certain amount, and After said expiration, an automatic return to said previous configuration is performed.

6. A method comprising: decoding, by a user equipment, downlink control information on a physical downlink control channel, wherein the downlink control information has a control command for the user equipment and an indication that additional information related to the control command is carried over a physical downlink shared channel; wherein the control command indicates a change in configuration, and the additional information indicates additional control parameters related to the control command, the control parameters including a duration of the change in configuration; Monitoring the physical downlink shared channel: decoding the additional information; executing the control command according to the additional information, and After expiration of the duration of the control command, reverting to a previous configuration of the user equipment.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the additional information further indicates an increase, a decrease, an amount of the change and / or a delay period until the change.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control command indicates a change in a bandwidth part, a physical resource block, a transmission power, a discontinuous reception scheduling and / or a discontinuous transmission scheduling configuration of the radio interface of the user equipment.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims 6 to 8, wherein the control command indicates a switch to a second bandwidth fraction and after the expiry, an automatic return to the previously configured bandwidth fraction is performed.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the control command indicates: Decrease / increase the DRX On Duration by a certain amount, or Decrease / increase the DRX inactivity duration by a certain amount, and After said expiration, an automatic return to said previous configuration is performed.

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