5G Downlink Control Channel Resource Allocation via CORESET Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 4G LTE system's physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is not suitable for the flexible resource allocation required in 5G wireless communication systems, which need to support high data rates, low latency, and high connection density, as it transmits over the entire bandwidth and has a cell-specific control region size, limiting flexibility in managing control resources for diverse services.

Innovation Solution

The 5G system introduces a control resource set (CORESET) that allows flexible allocation of the downlink control channel in specific subbands and varying numbers of OFDM symbols, enabling multiple control regions per terminal and per system, allowing for dynamic management of control resources to support various services efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the PDCCH transmits over the entire bandwidth with a cell-specific control region size, then control coverage is ensured, but resource allocation flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol region management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control region into multiple control resource sets (CORESETs), where each CORESET occupies a specific frequency band and time duration. This segmentation allows different services to be allocated to different CORESETs, providing flexible resource allocation while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized CORESET structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces frequency-domain segmentation by allocating different CORESETs to different frequency bands within the system bandwidth. This dimensional change from a single unified control region to multiple frequency-divided control regions enables flexible resource allocation for diverse services while keeping each control region manageable in size.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the control region size is fixed for the entire system, then implementation is simplified, but service-specific resource optimization is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem implementation simplicityVSAvoidservice-specific resource optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different control region parameters (such as duration and frequency location) for different CORESETs based on specific service requirements. Each CORESET can have customized time-frequency resources tailored to its service, while the overall system maintains simplicity through standardized CORESET configuration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If control channels are allocated in every subframe, then control reliability is maintained, but resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by allowing control channels to be transmitted in specific subframes according to configured periodicities for different services. Instead of transmitting control channels in every subframe, the system schedules them periodically based on service requirements, maintaining reliability through appropriate periodicity selection while improving resource efficiency by avoiding unnecessary transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3681090B1Method and apparatus for transmitting downlink control information in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3681090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681090B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3681090B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-generation (4G) system with a technology for internet of things (IoT). The disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method and apparatus that reduce power consumption of the terminal and increase resource utilization efficiency of the base station through resource sharing between the data channel and the control channel are provided.